Raga Yaman-Kalyan
About Raga Yaman-Kalyan
Ragas Yaman-Kalyan, Multani is a studio album by Hindustani classical vocalist Pandit Bhimsen Joshi. The label His Master’s Voice released the recording in 1967 on a 12\" vinyl format. The album features two raga performances, with the opening track presenting a detailed exploration of Raga Yaman-Kalyan.
Bhimsen Joshi performs the khayal in Raga Yaman-Kalyan as the first composition on Side A. The track adheres to the traditional structure of alaap, jor, and jhala>, followed by a bandish in vilambit and drut ektaal. The recording captures Joshi’s signature vocal technique, characterized by deep tonal resonance and intricate taan patterns. Accompaniment details remain undocumented in available sources, though the format suggests standard tabla and tanpura support.
The album’s second raga, Multani, occupies Side B. His Master’s Voice produced the release during a period when Joshi established himself as a leading exponent of the Kirana gharana. The vinyl pressing includes liner notes, though the original text does not specify composers, lyricists, or session musicians. Later reissues on compact disc and digital platforms retain the 1967 track sequence but omit the original analog mastering characteristics.
Critics and historians often cite Ragas Yaman-Kalyan, Multani as an example of Joshi’s early mature work. The recording predates his 1972 Tansen Samman award and subsequent collaborations with instrumentalists like Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia. No live versions of these studio performances exist in official discographies, and the album remains one of the few commercial releases from this phase of Joshi’s career to focus exclusively on Yaman-Kalyan and Multani.