This is an excellent rendering of Raga Malkaush (Alap) by Pt. Brij Bhushan Kabra, the pioneer of guitar in Hindustani classical music. The duration of rendition is more than half an hour. His knowledge about the raga, playing techniques and ability to unfold the character of the raga through detail Alap of Dhrupad tradition are really adorable. This was a live concert video recording under rare recording series(1960--1990) from a private collection.
My Guruji, Pt. Brij Bhushan Kabraji successfully initiated the use of the Guitar in Hindustani music in 1960's. At that time there was no precedence of concert level presentation of Hindustani instrumental music on this instrument. When my Guruji brought this instrument to his Guru Ustad Ali Akbar Khan Sahib, within no time Ustadji realized the nature & character of the instrument, the suitable playing techniques for presenting the nuances of raga music and advised Pt. Kabra to play with minimum number of strike on the strings resulting in the creation of excellent 'Meend' in all the three octaves which is considered as one of the specialty of the slide guitar. Ustadji also believed that no other instrument of Hindustani music is capable to create long range 'Meend' with a single strike from one octave to other except the Guitar.
My Guruji followed this important teaching of his Guru throughout his life and still propagating the same among his students. In the period of 1960s' to 1980s', just when we're entering to the digital age and the classical artists strictly maintained the purity of raga in their presentation and people also have less attraction towards 'fusion music', my Guruji was especially invited to concerts where musicians and the audience love to listen "Alap' on his guitar for hours and his first album was in only "Alap' in raga Puria. Some artists and music lovers whom I met in Kolkata confirmed this fact and they still remember the beauty of his presentation, playing style of Meend and application of 'Kan- swar' or ease of rhythm in Alap & Jod.
Under the banner of rare recording series(1960--1990), I have uploaded some rare pieces of original tracks(only 'Alap') of raga Darbari, Bageshwari, Alahiya Bilawal,Lalit, Jhinjhoti etc. which are treasures of Hindustani music. Lastly, I like to present a quote from "Guitar Magazine"(USA):"..........................this is the first album to be readily available in the west. All listeners should be astounded by his technical brilliance and seemingly impossible control and speed as a slide guitarist. But please listen also to the great emotional depth and expressiveness of his playing...................".

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