Raga: Manj khamaj, Part 1

Raga: Manj Khamaj, Part 1 is a live instrumental recording of the Hindustani classical raga Manj Khamaj. Ravi Shankar performs the sitar, Ali Akbar Khan plays the sarod, and Alla Rakha provides accompaniment on the tabla. The performance captures a traditional alap-jod-jhala structure, characteristic of the dhrupad and khyal traditions adapted for instrumental presentation.

The recording was released in 1964. It appears on the album Ravi Shankar & Ali Akbar Khan: Duets, issued by Angel Records. The label positioned the album as a collaboration between two leading exponents of Hindustani classical music. The 26-minute duration reflects the expansive, improvisational nature of the raga form, allowing for gradual development of melodic and rhythmic complexity.

Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan introduce the raga through a slow, meditative alap, establishing the tonal framework of Manj Khamaj. The alap progresses into the jod, where rhythmic elements begin to emerge without fixed meter. Alla Rakha joins in the jhala section, introducing a steady pulse that accelerates into intricate rhythmic interplay. The performance adheres to the raga’s prescribed ascent (aroh) and descent (avroh) patterns, emphasizing its characteristic komal (flat) Ni and shuddha (natural) Ga swaras.

The recording documents a historical collaboration between three prominent figures in 20th-century Indian classical music. Ravi Shankar, a disciple of Allauddin Khan, had previously performed with Ali Akbar Khan, his fellow student and brother, in various settings. Alla Rakha, a frequent collaborator with both artists, contributes to the rhythmic foundation with his mastery of the tabla. The release year places the performance within a period of growing international recognition for Hindustani classical music.

The primary format of the recording is a vinyl LP. Specific track details beyond the title and duration are not provided in the available context. The album has been reissued in subsequent formats, including compact disc and digital streaming platforms, though the original release remains a reference for the artists’ collaborative work.