About Bandit Queen, Vol. 51
Bandit Queen, Vol. 51 is a 1995 soundtrack album featuring the vocal performances of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Oriental Star Agencies Ltd. released the album in digital media format on January 1, 1995. The recording serves as the official soundtrack for the biographical film Bandit Queen, directed by Shekhar Kapur, which depicts the life of Phoolan Devi.
The album contains 29 tracks that blend traditional qawwali with film score compositions. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan contributed lead vocals to several songs, including Sanware Tore Bin Jiya, Sajna Tere Bina, and More Saiyaan To Hai Pardes. Instrumental and ambient pieces such as Opening, Out of Water, and Into Marriage accompany the narrative sequences of the film. The soundtrack also features thematic tracks like Welcome Phoolan, Child Bride, and Phoolan & Vikram Eye to Eye, which align with key scenes in the movie.
The composition style integrates North Indian classical elements with cinematic orchestration. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s renditions employ the khayal and tarana forms, characteristic of his broader discography. The album’s production reflects the collaborative effort between the film’s music directors and Khan’s established ensemble. Oriental Star Agencies Ltd. distributed the release under its catalog, though specific production credits beyond Khan’s vocal contributions remain undocumented in available sources.
The soundtrack received recognition for its fusion of devotional music and film scoring. While the album’s commercial performance data is not publicly detailed, its association with the critically acclaimed Bandit Queen solidified its place in the broader context of 1990s Indian cinema soundtracks. The inclusion of Khan’s vocals marked one of his final contributions to film music before his death in 1997.