About Ustad Vilayatkhan Plays Sitar (The Indian Musical Instrument)
Ustad Vilayat Khan Plays Sitar is an official studio album by Indian classical sitar virtuoso Vilayat Khan. Angel Records released the album in 1955. The release appeared on a 10-inch vinyl record, the primary format for commercial music distribution at the time.
Vilayat Khan performed all compositions on the album. The album contains two tracks: Raga Rageshwari and Raga Pilu. Raga Rageshwari, a morning raga, showcases Khan’s intricate alap, jor, and jhala sections. Raga Pilu, a lighter seasonal raga, demonstrates his ability to blend classical rigor with folk influences.
The album marked one of Vilayat Khan’s earliest international releases. Angel Records, a subsidiary of EMI, distributed the album in Western markets. The recording captured Khan’s distinctive gayaki ang style, which emulates vocal techniques on the sitar. This approach later became a defining feature of his performances and recordings.
No additional musicians appear on the album. The release does not include liner notes or supplementary materials. The exact recording location and production personnel remain undocumented. The album’s cover art and packaging details are not publicly available.
Ustad Vilayat Khan Plays Sitar contributed to the growing global recognition of Indian classical music during the mid-20th century. The album remains a reference for students and scholars of the sitar and Hindustani classical music.