The Best of Ustad Bismillah Khan Ever (Set of 5 Audio CDs)

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Format: Audio CD

Ustad Bismillah Khan
The ‘Shehnai’ is synonymous with the name ‘Ustad Bismillah Khan’. He was single-handedly responsible for making the Shehnai a centre-stage classical instrument. His ancestors were court musicians, thus offering him a musical environment since childhood. At the tender age of 6 he moved to Varanasi and began tutoring under his uncle, the late Ali Baksh ‘Vilayatu’, a shehnai player attached to Varanasi’s Vishwanath Temple. Khansaheb had the rare honor of performing at Delhi’s Red Fort on the eve of India’s Independence in 1947. He also performed at the Red Fort on the eve of India’s first Republic Day ceremony, on January 26, 1950. Khansaheb had a brief association with movies. The melodious sound of the shehnai in the film ‘Goonj Uthi Shehnai’ is highly memorable even after all these years. ‘Bharat Ratna’ the highest civilian award was bestowed upon Khansaheb in 2001. Besides many other, he has also been honoured with the Sangeet Natak Academy and Padma Vibhushan.

CD – 1
The first album has five ragas. All of them are morning melodies. The CD opens with raga Todi followed by ragas Desi Todi, Komal Rishabh Asavari and Bilaskhani Todi. The concluding melody is a fascinating Thumri in raga Bhairavi.

CD – 2
The second CD features eight tracks of which four are based on afternoon ragas. The CD opens with raga Shuddha Sarang followed by Bhimpalasi, Multani and Madhuvanati. Also included are a compilation of light classical Dhuns like Dhun Dadra, Light Dhun and Dhun Bhangra. The last track is a popular song “Dil Ka Khilauna” on the Shehnai from the film Goonj Uthi Shehnai. These light classical tracks showcase Ustadji’s versatility over various light forms of music.

CD – 3
This CD commences with the rare raga Hanskinkini followed by raga Hansnarayani. Following these are the haunting night ragas Shankara and Shyam Kalyan. This album concludes with a lilting Thumri.

CD – 4
The fourth CD consists of only night melodies. The opening raga is Bihag followed by ragas Tilak Kamod and Rageshri. The following light classical forms of Chaiti, Poorbi and Kajri lend a touch of the Benaras Gharana. This album concludes with a melody in raga Mishra Khamaj.

CD – 5
The fifth CD is unique. It consists of three featuring Ustadji in Jugalbandi with 3 other legends. The CD opens with night raga Nand Kalyan. This is a live concert recording of Ustadji with sitar nawaz Ustad Vilayat Khan. The following Chaiti is with the legendary Girijadevi. The concluding track is a Dhun in raga Mishra Khamaj along with the violin maestro Prof. V.G. Jog.

This album, ‘Best of Ustad Bismillah Khan’ consists of 5 CDs featuring 28 tracks of musical divinity by the stalwart Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan. This is Saregama India’s humble offering to the memory of this legend. This album comprises not only the best musical contributions of Khansaheb but true to its name, presents one of the best musical legends India has seen.

CD 1
Morning Melodies
1. Raga – Todi
2. Raga – Desi Todi [1975]
3. Raga – Komal Rishabh Asavari [1967]
4. Raga – Bilaskhani Todi [1981]
5. Raga – Bhairavi Thumri

CD 2
Afternoon Melodies and Dhuns
1. Raga – Shuddha Sarang
2. Raga – Bhimpalasi [1977]
3. Raga – Multani
4. Raga – Madhuvanti [1975]
5. Dhun Dadra [1981]
6. Light Dhun [1962]
7. Dhun Bhangra
8. Raga – Bhairavi

CD 3
Night Melodies and Thumri
1. Raga – Hanskinkini
2. Raga – Hansnarayani
3. Raga – Shankara [1965]
4. Raga – Shyam Kalyan [1971]
5. Mishra Thumri

CD 4
Night Melodies and Light Classical
1. Raga – Bihag [1968]
2. Raga – Tilakkamod [1979]
3. Raga – Rageshri [1981]
4. Chaiti
5. Poorbi [1979]
6. Kajri
7. Raga – Mishra Khamaj [1982]

CD 5
Jugalbandies
1. Raga – Nand Kalyan [1989]
2. Chaiti [1991]
3. Raga – Mishra Khamaj Dhun [1965]