Dhun: Raghupati raghav raja ram

Bismillah Khan released Raga Malkauns & Dhun in February 1999 under Navras Records. The album appeared on compact disc and featured two primary compositions. Khan performed the shehnai in both tracks, showcasing his mastery of the instrument in classical and light-classical forms.

The second track, titled Dhun: Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram, spans 8 minutes and 56 seconds. Khan adapted the bhajan into an instrumental dhun, retaining the devotional melody associated with the original hymn. The composition reflects his ability to blend folk and classical elements while maintaining the shehnai’s expressive tonal qualities. The album’s production aligned with Navras Records’ focus on traditional Indian classical music during the late 1990s.

Limited documentation exists regarding the accompanying artists or session details for this release. The recording emphasizes Khan’s solo performance, with minimal or uncredited rhythmic and harmonic support. The track’s structure follows a free-flowing improvisational style typical of dhun compositions, distinct from the more rigid framework of the preceding Raga Malkauns on the same album.

The 1999 release marked one of Khan’s later studio recordings before his death in 2006. Raga Malkauns & Dhun remained in circulation through Navras Records’ catalog, though specific sales figures or reissue details are not publicly verified. The dhun’s rendition of Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram contributed to Khan’s legacy of popularizing devotional music within the classical tradition.