The Raga created by Pt. Kumar Gandharva is:

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 2 (Malwati):
Pandit Kumar Gandharva was not only an extraordinary vocalist but also a profound musicologist renowned for his *Avishkar*—the creation of new Ragas, primarily through the synthesis of existing ones. *Malwati* is one of the most prominent *Jod-Ragas* (compound Ragas) credited entirely to his creativity. This Raga is structured by skillfully blending the key characteristics and phrases of the morning Raga *Malgunji* with elements of the evening Raga *Malashree*. This unique combination gives *Malwati* a distinct, haunting identity and sets it apart as a significant contribution to the Hindustani classical music repertoire, cementing his legacy as a true innovator who expanded the Raga system.

The incorrect option is 1 (Priyadarshini):
This option is incorrect because the Raga *Priyadarshini* was created by the legendary Sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar, not Pandit Kumar Gandharva. Pandit Ravi Shankar, known globally for his musical innovations and collaborations, is credited with coining numerous Ragas during his career. *Priyadarshini* is a celebrated creation of his, often performed on the Sitar. Therefore, attributing this Raga to Kumar Gandharva is factually inaccurate, as they belong to different creative lineages.

The incorrect option is 3 (Chandranandan):
*Chandranandan* is another famous new Raga, but its creator is the renowned Sarod player Ustad Ali Akbar Khan. Ustad Ali Akbar Khan developed this Raga by combining elements from a complex set of existing Ragas, including *Malkauns*, *Chandrakauns*, *Kaunsi Kanada*, and *Nandkauns*. His contribution of *Chandranandan* is a masterpiece of compositional structure and emotive depth. It stands as a distinctive creative work of the Maihar Gharana, separate from the creations of Pandit Kumar Gandharva.

The incorrect option is 4 (Nat Bihag):
*Nat Bihag* is incorrect because it is a pre-existing, traditional Raga, and not an original creation of Pandit Kumar Gandharva. It is a well-established *Jod-Raga* formed by combining the characteristics of *Raga Nat* and *Raga Bihag* long before the time of Kumar Gandharva. Although he may have performed it in his inimitable style, he cannot be credited with its invention. Therefore, *Nat Bihag* represents a historical Raga synthesis, unlike *Malwati*, which is a true modern *Avishkar*.