Raga II Chandrabhankar

Raga II Chandrabhankar is a studio recording by sitarist Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan, released on January 1, 1973. The album belongs to the Hindustani classical tradition and features a single raga performance split into two tracks. The release format and label remain undocumented in available sources.

The recording centers on Raga Chandrabhankar, a rare and intricate raga associated with the late-night raag repertoire. Hafiz Ali Khan presents the composition in two segments: the opening alap and the subsequent gat in Teen Taal. The first track, Raga Chander Bhankar - Alap, showcases the artist’s elaboration of the raga’s melodic framework through a gradual, improvisational development. The second track, Raga Chandar Bhankar - Gat In Teen Taal, introduces rhythmic structure, with Khan performing a fixed composition accompanied by percussion in the 16-beat Teen Taal cycle.

Hafiz Ali Khan, a prominent figure of the Indore gharana, was known for his mastery of the been (rudra veena) and sitar, though this recording specifically features the latter. The album exemplifies his approach to dhrupad-ang gayaki-style instrumentalism, emphasizing sustained notes and precise intonation. No additional musicians or production personnel are credited in the available documentation.

The total runtime and physical media details of the release are not specified. The album’s reception and historical significance within Khan’s discography remain partially recorded, with limited archival references to its distribution or reissues.