Ghazal

Ghazal is an instrumental composition performed by sitarist Rais Khan. The track appears as the second piece on Side B of the 1983 album New Sitar. Released on 12\" vinyl by the label Loft, the album showcases Khan’s interpretation of North Indian classical music with elements of ghazal traditions. The track spans 11 minutes and 10 seconds, featuring Khan’s sitar accompanied by an unspecified rhythm section. No additional session musicians or production personnel are documented in the available context.

The composition reflects Khan’s signature style, blending intricate taan patterns with the lyrical phrasing characteristic of ghazal forms. The recording captures the acoustic resonance of the sitar, emphasizing the instrument’s sympathetic strings and dynamic range. New Sitar marked one of Khan’s early international releases, targeting audiences beyond South Asia through the Loft label’s distribution network. The vinyl format preserved the track’s extended improvisational sections without compression.

Limited archival details exist regarding the recording location, session dates, or contributing artists beyond Rais Khan. The album’s liner notes, if originally included, are not referenced in the available context. Ghazal remains a notable example of Khan’s work during the 1980s, a period when he expanded his collaboration with global labels while maintaining roots in the Etah-Bharatpur gharana tradition.