Raga Yaman Kalyan Alap Jor

Nishat Khan with Zakir Hussain is a 1985 studio album featuring sitarist Nishat Khan in collaboration with tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain. The record was released by His Master’s Voice on a 12\" vinyl format. The album showcases a traditional Hindustani classical repertoire with an emphasis on raga elaboration and rhythmic interplay.

The opening track, Raga Yaman Kalyan Alap Jor, occupies side A of the vinyl. Khan performs the alap and jor sections of Raga Yaman Kalyan, a derivative of the parent raga Yaman with added shuddha nishad (ni) in the descent. The composition adheres to the slow, meditative development characteristic of the alap-jor-jhala structure in dhrupad-ang gayaki style. Hussain’s tabla accompaniment enters in the jor segment, introducing rhythmic patterns that complement the melodic exploration. The recording captures the live studio interaction between the artists without overdubs.

The album reflects Khan’s training under his father, sitarist Ustad Imrat Khan, and his immersion in the Etah gharana tradition. Hussain’s contribution aligns with his established role in both classical and fusion contexts, though this release focuses exclusively on classical presentation. The liner notes, where present, provide minimal annotation, prioritizing the unadorned performance.

No additional details about the recording sessions, alternate takes, or subsequent reissues are documented in available sources. The album remains a representative example of 1980s Hindustani instrumental recordings, emphasizing the sitar-tabla jugalbandi format without orchestral or electronic augmentation.