Bhairavi Thumri

Bade Ghulam Ali Khan performed the Bhairavi Thumri as the fourth track on the compilation album The Great Heritage: Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. Saregama released the album on CD in 2010. The recording spans 14 minutes and showcases Khan’s interpretation of the semi-classical thumri form in raag Bhairavi.

The album compiles archival performances by Khan, a central figure in the Patiala gharana of Hindustani classical music. Saregama sourced the material from its vault of historical recordings, though the exact date of the original Bhairavi Thumri performance remains undocumented. The track exemplifies Khan’s vocal technique, including meend (glissando), gamak (ornamentation), and bol-banao (lyrical improvisation).

The Great Heritage: Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan features a selection of Khan’s renditions across genres such as khyal, dadra, and thumri. The CD format preserves the audio fidelity of the original recordings while providing liner notes on Khan’s artistic legacy. Saregama’s release aimed to introduce Khan’s work to contemporary audiences, emphasizing his influence on 20th-century Hindustani vocal music.

Khan received the Padma Bhushan in 1962 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1960 for his contributions to Indian classical music. His rendition of Bhairavi Thumri on this album reflects the emotional depth and technical precision associated with his style. The compilation does not specify accompanying instrumentalists or the recording venue for this track.