Alap, Jod, Jhala

Rāg Bhimpalāsi is a studio album featuring a North Indian classical performance by bansuri flute virtuoso Hariprasad Chaurasia and tabla player Fazal Qureshi. The recording centers on a single extended rendition of Rāg Bhimpalāsi, structured in the traditional ālāp-jod-jhālā format characteristic of the dhrupad-influenced gāyaki ang style. Nimbus Records released the album on CD in 1991.

The sole track spans 41 minutes and 4 seconds. Chaurasia opens with an unmetered ālāp, systematically unfolding the rāg’s melodic contours through gradual tonal exploration. Qureshi enters in the jod section, introducing rhythmic interplay with sparse, resonant strokes that accentuate the rāg’s vilambit (slow) tempo. The performance culminates in jhālā, where Chaurasia employs rapid, intricate taans while Qureshi shifts to denser, syncopated patterns. The recording captures the acoustic interplay between bansuri and tabla without overdubs or electronic processing.

The album’s liner notes do not specify a recording location or session date beyond the 1991 release year. Nimbus Records marketed the CD as part of its classical music catalog, though no additional tracks, alternate takes, or reissues have been documented. The collaboration between Chaurasia and Qureshi on this release remains one of the few recorded instances of their duo format in Rāg Bhimpalāsi.