Continuing the series on the evening raag Yaman, this week we feature two tracks recorded by exponents of the Rampur-Sahaswan gharana.
The first is a short drut, or fast composition, in raag Yaman Kalyan set to Teentaal, a rhythmic cycle of 16 matras or time units. Mushtaq Hussain Khan (1880-1974), doyen of the Rampur-Sahaswan gharana, sings in an open-throated voice with a delivery that is direct. The elaboration focuses primarily on a series of taans or quick melodic passages and sargam or solfège.
Nisaar Hussain Khan (1906-1993), also a senior representative of the Rampur-Sahaswan gharana, sings two compositions in raag Yaman for an Akashvani recording made in 1965. He is accompanied by Shaikh Dawood, a senior and noted tabla player from Hyderabad.
The first composition is set to vilambit, or slow Ektaal, a cycle of 12 matras. After singing vistaar, or free-flowing elaboration over the rhythmic canvas, Nisar Hussain Khan launches a series of intricate taans.
The second composition is a madhya laya, or medium-paced khayal set to Teentaal. Once again, listeners will hear several taan patterns sung at great speed. Nisar Hussain Khan at the risk of losing out on precise intonation, revels in executing myriad varieties of taans, thus adding excitement to the performance.