Nat Narayan, Khamaj Bahar, Nagad-dhwani Kanhra

Released in 1977 by His Master's Voice, this long-playing record features the virtuosic vocals of Pandit Jasraj, a luminary of the Mewati gharana of Hindustani classical music. The recording captures intricate renditions of Raga Nat Narayan, Raga Khamaj Bahar, and Nagad-dhwani Kanhra, showcasing the emotive depth and technical mastery for which Jasraj was celebrated throughout his decades-long career. It stands as a representative artifact of the mid-1970s era, when HMV India was instrumental in documenting and distributing the classical repertoire to a growing international audience of connoisseurs.

The album reflects the standard aesthetic approach of HMV's classical Indian series during the 1970s, which prioritized high-fidelity capture of live or studio vocal performances with minimal instrumental accompaniment to highlight the subtlety of the khyal style. As a performer, Pandit Jasraj was known for his ability to infuse classical structures with profound devotional sentiment, a hallmark of his training and personal philosophy. This particular release is valued by collectors not only for the rarity of the specific compositions recorded during that period but also as a definitive archival piece of Jasraj’s middle-career work.