About Amjad Ali Khan
Amjad Ali Khan is a studio album by Indian classical sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan, released in 1967. The record marks one of his early commercial recordings under the label His Master’s Voice and was issued as a 12\" vinyl LP. The album captures Khan’s interpretation of North Indian classical music, featuring three extended compositions that showcase the sarod in traditional raga forms.
The album opens with Raga Desh, presented in a two-part structure: a slow gat followed by a fast gat, both set in Teental, a 16-beat rhythmic cycle. The second track features Raga Kiranjani, beginning with an alap (unmetered improvisation) and transitioning into a gat in Rupak Tala, a 7-beat cycle. The final piece is a Dhun in Bhairavi, a lighter classical composition that blends melodic folk elements with the raga framework.
The recording emphasizes Khan’s technical command of the sarod, including his use of meend (sliding notes) and jhala (rhythmic strumming). Accompaniment details for this release remain undocumented, though traditional performances of this era typically included tabla and tanpura support. The album’s production aligns with the conventions of 1960s Indian classical recordings, prioritizing acoustic clarity and minimal post-processing.
As an early work in Khan’s discography, the 1967 release precedes his later international recognition and collaborations with global artists. The vinyl format reflects the standard distribution method for classical music in India during the period. No reissues or digital remasters of this specific recording have been officially confirmed. The track titles and sequence derive from the original LP sleeve, with no alternate versions or bonus material included.