Raga Khem Kalyan, Raga Megh Malhar, Raga Khamaj

A presentation of three distinct raags by classical vocalist P. Sen, accompanied by Samir Chatterjee on tabla and Ramesh Mishra on sarangi. Exceptional rendering in the khayal style. Liner notes are informative and authoritative.

Track 1: Slow tempo version of the first raag which (as the liner notes explain) has been recorded only thrice in history. Sen spends a lot of time exploring the basic phraseology and melodic structure of the raag, with limited improvisation.

Track 2: A livelier interpretation of the same raag. Tempo increases progressively through the track (120 bpm -> 200 bpm), with lots of vocal inflection and some energetic tabla playing.

*Track 3*: Popular raag associated with the rain. Note the lovely imagery in Sen’s rendition.

Track 4: Mid-tempo melody punctuated with some dramatic vocal twists and turns. Sen is somber and seductive at the same time in her interpretation of this popular raag.