About Ragas Desi Todi Abhogi Kanada
Ragas Desi Todi Abhogi Kanada is a studio album by Pakistani classical vocalists Ustad Salamat Ali Khan and Ustad Sharafat Ali Khan, released in 1991. The brothers performed as the Sham-Chaurasia gharana duo, known for their mastery of khyal and semi-classical forms in the Hindustani tradition. The label Weston issued the recording on compact disc, marking one of the few commercially available studio albums by the artists in this format.
The album features three tracks, each centered on distinct ragas and rhythmic cycles. The opening composition explores Raga Desi Todi set to Thaat Kafi and Taal Jhumra, a 14-beat cycle. The second track presents Raga Abhogi Kanada, also rooted in Thaat Kafi but paired with Taal Jhaptaal, a 10-beat structure. The final piece interprets Raga Pahadi through a thumri titled Chod ke na ja saiyan more, a semi-classical form emphasizing lyrical and emotional expression.
The recording captures the Khan brothers’ collaborative approach, with Salamat Ali Khan leading the vocal improvisations and Sharafat Ali Khan providing harmonic support and rhythmic interplay. The accompaniment details, including instrumentalists or recording location, remain undocumented in available sources. The album’s release date aligns with the artists’ later career phase, following their extensive contributions to live performances and radio broadcasts in Pakistan and India.
As an official release, the CD reflects the gayaki (vocal style) of the Sham-Chaurasia gharana, characterized by intricate taan patterns and emotive phrasing. The selection of ragas highlights the brothers’ ability to navigate both complex classical structures and lighter semi-classical genres. Further production or reissue details beyond the 1991 Weston release are not verified in public records.