Raga: Hema-Bihag / Malaya Marutam / Mishra-Mand

Released on the Odeon label, this recording showcases Ravi Shankar performing a series of ragas including Hema-Bihag, Malaya Marutam, and Mishra-Mand. The record emerged during the mid-twentieth century when Indian classical music was gaining significant international exposure, largely facilitated by Shankar's virtuosic sitar performances and his efforts to bridge the gap between traditional Indian music and Western audiences.

The design and production of this release reflect the standard aesthetic of the Odeon Indian classical series, which focused on providing a clean, auditory document of intricate melodic frameworks. The recording was designed to present the nuanced microtonal shifts and rhythmic structures inherent in these ragas. It was received by contemporary critics and listeners as a sophisticated example of North Indian Hindustani and South Indian Carnatic fusion, cementing Shankar’s reputation as a vital cultural ambassador.