About Saaz - Shehnai Volume II
Saaz – Shehnai Volume II is a studio album by Indian classical shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan. The release forms part of his recorded works under the Saaz series, which showcases traditional North Indian (Hindustani) classical music performed on the shehnai. Living Media India produced the album in compact disc format and issued it in March 2007.
The album features two extended tracks that adhere to the classical raga structure. The first composition presents Raga Hamir Bahar with an alap (unmetered improvisation) followed by a vilambit (slow-tempo) section in Teen Taal, a 16-beat rhythmic cycle. The second track explores Raga Rageshwari, beginning with an alap and transitioning into a vilambit rendition set to Jhap Taal, a 10-beat cycle. Both performances emphasize Khan’s signature phrasing and control over the shehnai’s tonal nuances.
Khan recorded the album in an unspecified studio setting, with no documented accompanying artists or additional instrumentalists. The production retains the acoustic clarity typical of his later works, focusing on the solo shehnai without electronic augmentation. Living Media India released the album as part of its classical music catalog, though specific details about the recording sessions or alternate editions remain unverified.
The 2007 release date aligns with Khan’s final years of active recording before his death in August 2006, suggesting the album may compile previously unreleased material or posthumous selections. No public events or promotional tours accompanied the launch, as Khan had ceased performing by that period. The album serves as a representative example of his lifelong dedication to preserving and advancing the shehnai’s role in Hindustani classical tradition.