Raga II Chandrabhankar

Raga II Chandrabhankar is a studio recording by Indian classical musician Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan, released on January 1, 1973. The album features Khan’s performance of Raga Chandrabhankar, a rare raga associated with the Beenkar gharana of dhrupad and instrumental music. The release captures Khan’s mastery of the surbahar, a bass variant of the sitar, and his deep engagement with the alap-jor-jhala tradition of North Indian classical music.

The album consists of two tracks. The first track, Raga Chander Bhankar - Alap, presents an extended alap section where Khan explores the raga’s melodic contours through slow, meditative phrasing. The composition emphasizes the raga’s shuddha dhaivat (natural sixth) and komal gandhar (flattened third), characteristic of its structural identity. The second track, Raga Chandar Bhankar - Gat In Teen Taal, transitions into a rhythmic exposition set to the 16-beat Teen Taal cycle. Khan’s rendition demonstrates intricate taan patterns and layakari (rhythmic play) while maintaining the raga’s contemplative mood.

The recording format and label details remain undocumented in available sources. The release is recognized as part of Khan’s later discography, following his contributions to the revival of the surbahar in the mid-20th century. His interpretation of Raga Chandrabhankar aligns with the Beenkar style, prioritizing depth of tone and expansive melodic development over virtuosic speed. The album serves as a reference for students of the Seniya Beenkar tradition and historians of Hindustani instrumental music.

Hafiz Ali Khan (1888–1972) was a pivotal figure in the Beenkar gharana, known for his collaborations with All India Radio and his role in preserving the surbahar repertoire. This recording was likely compiled posthumously, as Khan passed away in December 1972, shortly before the album’s release date. The liner notes or original packaging, if extant, are not widely cited in archival records.