Raga - Miyan Malhar: Umad Ghumad Garaj Garaj Drut Ek Taal

Raga – Miyan Malhar: Umad Ghumad Garaj Garaj Drut Ek Taal is a khayal performance by Hindustani classical vocalist Kishori Amonkar. The recording captures her interpretation of Raga Miyan Malhar, a monsoon-themed raga associated with the Kafi thaat. Amonkar renders the composition in drut ek taal, a fast-paced 12-beat rhythmic cycle.

The performance emphasizes the raga’s evocative phrases, particularly the characteristic umad ghumad (undulating) and garaj garaj (thunderous) motifs that depict the intensity of rain. Amonkar’s treatment includes intricate taans (melodic runs) and layered improvisations, showcasing her command over the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana style. The accompaniment features the tanpura for drone support and tabla for percussion, though specific accompanying artists remain undocumented in available sources.

The recording’s release year and original format are not explicitly confirmed in public records. Later compilations and reissues appear on labels such as HMV (His Master’s Voice) and Music Today, often as part of anthologies dedicated to Amonkar’s work. The track title directly references the raga name, composition type (drut khayal), and rhythmic structure, adhering to classical naming conventions.

Notable aspects of the performance include Amonkar’s use of meend (glissando) to evoke the raga’s fluidity and her dynamic interplay with the layakari (rhythmic variation) in the drut section. The composition’s lyrical content, while not fully transcribed in accessible sources, aligns with traditional bandish (fixed composition) structures in Miyan Malhar. The recording serves as a reference for Amonkar’s interpretive depth and her contributions to the rendition of seasonal ragas in the 20th-century Hindustani tradition.