About Raga Kirwani / Raga Imni Bilawal
Raga Kirwani / Raga Imni Bilawal is a 1967 Indian classical music album by Ali Akbar Khan. The release features two extended instrumental performances on the sarod. The primary format is a long-playing vinyl record.
Ali Akbar Khan performs both ragas in the traditional alap-jor-jhala-gat structure. The first track, Raga Kirwani, follows the Carnatic-influenced Kirwani scale. Khan introduces the raga in a slow, meditative alap, then accelerates through jor and jhala sections before concluding with a fast-paced gat in teental. The performance lasts approximately 28 minutes.
The second track, Raga Imni Bilawal, presents a rare morning raga that blends Bilawal and Khamaj characteristics. Khan begins with a detailed alap, exploring the raga’s microtonal nuances. The jor and jhala sections build rhythmic intensity, leading to a drut gat in tintal. This performance spans about 25 minutes.
The album was recorded in Mumbai. No record label is definitively associated with this release. The original liner notes provide raga descriptions and performance context, though specific contributors to the notes are not documented.
Scholars and musicians cite this album as a reference for Kirwani and Imni Bilawal interpretations. The recordings remain in circulation through reissue programs and archival collections. The exact mastering and production details are not publicly available.