Raga Maru Bihag

Parween Sultana performed Raga Maru Bihag as the opening track on the 2001 compilation album Maestro’s Choice: Vocal. The label Music Today released the album on **January 31, 2001**, in **CD format**. The recording showcases Sultana’s interpretation of the raga, a late-evening melody in the Bihag family characterized by its use of komal re (flattened second) and komal dha (flattened sixth) in descent. The album title indicates a curated selection, though specific details about the curator or additional contributing artists remain undocumented in the provided context.

Parween Sultana established herself as a leading exponent of the **Patiala gharana**, a school of Hindustani classical music known for its robust taan (melodic improvisation) and intricate layakari (rhythmic play). Her rendition of Maru Bihag aligns with the gharana’s emphasis on expansive alaap (unmetered prelude) and dynamic bol-banao (textual ornamentation). The track duration and accompanying instrumentalists, if any, are not specified in the available information.

The album Maestro’s Choice: Vocal positions Sultana alongside other classical vocalists, though the full tracklist and participating artists are not detailed here. The release reflects the early 2000s trend of themed compilations by Indian labels, often targeting audiences seeking introductory or archival recordings of raga-based performances. Music Today, a subsidiary of **India Today Group**, frequently produced such collections during this period, focusing on both veteran and contemporary classical musicians.

No additional metadata about the recording session, production team, or alternate versions of this track exists in the given context. The raga’s structural adherence to the Kafi thaat (parent scale) and its traditional association with the shringar (romantic) and bhakti (devotional) rasas (emotional essences) remain central to its interpretation, though Sultana’s treatment may incorporate personal or gharana-specific innovations.