About Rag Miya Ki Todi & Rag Bilaskhani Todi
Rag Miya Ki Todi & Rag Bilaskhani Todi is a studio album by sitarist Imrat Khan and surbahar player Shafaatullah Khan. The duo recorded the album in 1989 for release under the label Nimbus Records in compact disc format. The recording captures two extended raga performances in the todi family, a classification within Hindustani classical music known for its intricate melodic structures and emotional depth.
Imrat Khan performed on the sitar, while Shafaatullah Khan accompanied on the surbahar, a bass variant of the sitar. The album features two tracks: Rag Miya Ki Todi and Rag Bilaskhani Todi. Both compositions adhere to the todi thaat, a parent scale in North Indian classical tradition. The performances emphasize alaap, jor, and jhala sections, followed by rhythmic elaborations in vilambit (slow) and drut (fast) tempos. The recording omits percussion accompaniment, focusing on the interplay between the two string instruments.
Nimbus Records released the album in 1989 as part of its series on Indian classical music. The label produced the recording with minimal post-production, preserving the acoustic qualities of the instruments. The liner notes provide context on the todi raga tradition but do not include detailed session information. The total runtime exceeds 60 minutes, with each track occupying roughly half the duration.
The album serves as a documented performance by Imrat Khan, a prominent figure in the Etawah gharana (school) of sitar playing, and Shafaatullah Khan, his nephew and disciple. The collaboration reflects the gharana’s emphasis on tantrakari (string technique) and gayaki ang (vocal-style phrasing). No live audience or additional musicians participated in the sessions. The release date aligns with a period of increased international distribution for Hindustani classical recordings, though specific sales figures or reception details remain undocumented in available sources.