Raga Verag Todi

Raga Verag Todi is a khayal performance by Ustad Salamat Ali Khan, featured as the third track on the 1995 studio album Raga Madkauns, Raga Suha Kanada, Raga Verag Todi, Raga Kalavati. The album was released by Nimbus Records in CD format. The recording captures Khan’s interpretation of Raga Verag Todi, a rare and complex raga associated with the Todi thaat but distinct in its melodic phrasing and emotional depth. The track spans 19 minutes and 51 seconds, showcasing Khan’s mastery of the Sham Chaurasia gharana style, characterized by intricate taans, bol-banao, and layered improvisation.

The album comprises four raga performances, each representing a different mood and structural approach. Salamat Ali Khan recorded the sessions in an unspecified studio environment, with minimal accompaniment details documented in the release. The liner notes or original packaging do not specify the accompanying artists for tabla or harmonium, though traditional khayal performances of this era typically included these instruments. The release date of 1995 places the album in the later phase of Khan’s career, following his extensive contributions to Hindustani classical music as a vocalist and educator.

Nimbus Records, a British label known for its classical and world music catalog, produced the album. The recording quality emphasizes clarity and dynamic range, aligning with the label’s reputation for high-fidelity audio in traditional music releases. The track Raga Verag Todi exemplifies Khan’s ability to balance technical precision with expressive phrasing, a hallmark of his performances. No live audience or alternate takes are indicated in the available documentation.

The album’s title lists the four ragas in sequence, suggesting a deliberate progression of moods or times of day, though no explicit thematic connection is confirmed. Raga Verag Todi itself is less commonly recorded than mainstream Todi variants, making Khan’s rendition a notable entry in the discography of 20th-century Hindustani vocal music. The original CD release includes no bonus tracks or remastered editions, and reissues (if any) remain undocumented in public sources.