About Ustad Bahadur Khan
Ustad Bahadur Khan is a studio album by Indian classical vocalist and sitarist Bahadur Khan, released in 1976. The record marks one of the few commercially available recordings of Khan’s work, capturing his interpretations of North Indian classical ragas in a solo instrumental format. The label His Master’s Voice (HMV) produced and distributed the album as a 12\" vinyl LP, adhering to the standard audio fidelity and packaging conventions of the era.
The album consists of two extended tracks. The first, Raga Ahir Bivash, showcases Khan’s command of the sitar through an alap-jor-jhala progression, followed by a rhythmic exposition in teental. The second track, Raga Dayabati, presents a slower, more contemplative raga structure with emphasis on melodic phrasing and gamak techniques. Both compositions reflect Khan’s training under the Seniya and Indore gharana traditions, though specific performance durations and accompanying artists remain undocumented in available sources.
The release date aligns with the broader mid-1970s revival of interest in instrumental classical music within India, though promotional details or commercial reception for this particular album are not widely recorded. The vinyl format suggests a target audience of connoisseurs and institutional collectors, as HMV frequently catered to classical music enthusiasts during this period. No reissues or digital remasters of the album have been officially confirmed, and the original pressing remains the sole documented version.
Bahadur Khan’s contributions to Hindustani classical music extend beyond this release, but Ustad Bahadur Khan serves as a primary archival reference for his sitar renditions from the late 20th century. The album’s liner notes, if included, are not preserved in public records, leaving details about recording sessions, production personnel, or technical specifications unverified.