Bhajan - Surdasji

N. Rajam recorded Bhajan – Surdasji as the third track on her 2002 album Master Pieces. The composition spans 10 minutes and 58 seconds and features Rajam on violin, accompanied by traditional instrumental arrangements characteristic of North Indian classical music. The album was released by Times Music in CD format.

The track draws from the bhajan tradition associated with the 16th-century blind saint-poet Surdas, whose devotional works center on Lord Krishna. Rajam’s interpretation emphasizes the melodic and lyrical depth of the bhajan, integrating elements of the dhrupad and khayal styles. The recording captures her signature phrasing and bowing technique, which align with the Benares gharana lineage she represents.

Master Pieces compiles Rajam’s live and studio performances, showcasing her contributions to Hindustani classical music as both a performer and educator. The album includes instrumental renditions of ragas and semi-classical forms, with Bhajan – Surdasji serving as a devotional contrast to the purely classical selections. The liner notes credit Rajam as the primary artist, though accompanying musicians remain undocumented in available sources.

The release date of 2002 places the album within Rajam’s later career, following her tenure as a professor at the Delhi School of Music and her receipt of the Padma Bhushan in 2000. Times Music distributed the CD in India and select international markets, targeting audiences of classical and devotional music. No commercial singles or alternate versions of the track were issued separately.