Raga Megh Malhar: Vilambit Bandish in Ektal

Raga Megh Malhar (2002) is a studio album by Indian classical vocalist Ustad Rashid Khan. The release centers on a single extended performance of Raga Megh Malhar, a monsoon-associated raga in the Hindustani tradition. India Archive Music issued the recording on compact disc in 2002.

The album features one track: a vilambit bandish in Ektal, a 12-beat rhythmic cycle. The composition spans 43 minutes and 52 seconds, showcasing Khan’s interpretation of the raga through alaap, jor, and jhala followed by the structured bandish. The performance emphasizes the raga’s characteristic phrases and its association with the rainy season.

Khan’s rendition adheres to the Gwalior gharana and Rampur-Sahaswan gharana styles, both of which influenced his training under Ustad Nissar Hussain Khan and later Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan. The recording captures his use of meend (glissando) and gamak (ornamentation) to evoke the raga’s emotive depth. No accompanying instrumentalists or percussionists appear on this release; the track presents a solo vocal performance.

The album serves as a documented example of Khan’s approach to khayal in the early 2000s. Further details about the recording sessions, production personnel, or additional releases in this series remain undocumented in available sources.