Raga Suha Sugrai

"Raga Suha Sugrai" is a Hindustani classical instrumental recording by sitar maestro Vilayat Khan. The track appears as the first selection on the album Music of India No. 2. His Master’s Voice released the album in 1963. The recording uses the 12" vinyl format.

Vilayat Khan performs the raga in a traditional alap-jod-jhala structure. The alap section introduces the raga’s melodic framework without rhythmic accompaniment. The jod section incorporates a steady pulse through the use of a slow tempo. The jhala section accelerates the rhythm and intensifies the interplay between the sitar’s strings. The performance lasts 22 minutes and 17 seconds.

The album Music of India No. 2 features additional classical compositions. The exact tracklist beyond "Raga Suha Sugrai" remains unverified in the provided context. His Master’s Voice, a subsidiary of EMI, distributed the release as part of its catalog of Indian classical music during the mid-20th century.

Vilayat Khan, born in 1928, was a prominent exponent of the Imdadkhani gharana. He contributed to the evolution of sitar technique and repertoire. His interpretations of ragas often emphasized lyrical phrasing and intricate taans. The 1963 recording of "Raga Suha Sugrai" reflects his distinctive style and command of the instrument.