Mishra Thumri

Mishra Thumri (Bismillah Khan, 1962) is a semi-classical vocal composition performed on the shehnai by Ustad Bismillah Khan. The track appears as side B of the 12\" vinyl record Raga Todi • Mishra Thumri, released in 1962 under the His Master’s Voice label. The recording showcases Khan’s adaptation of the thumri genre, traditionally associated with vocal music, to the instrumental medium of the shehnai.

The album pairs the track with a rendition of Raga Todi on side A. Khan’s interpretation of the Mishra Thumri retains the genre’s characteristic lyrical and rhythmic flexibility while emphasizing the shehnai’s expressive capabilities. The recording period and specific session details remain undocumented, but the release aligns with Khan’s mid-century work that expanded the shehnai’s role in Indian classical and light-classical traditions.

His Master’s Voice produced the vinyl as part of its classical music catalog, targeting audiences familiar with both Hindustani instrumental and vocal forms. The track exemplifies Khan’s ability to blend technical precision with emotive phrasing, a hallmark of his performances. No additional musicians or accompanying artists are credited in available sources for this recording.

The original pressing includes no liner notes or detailed track annotations, limiting supplementary context about the composition’s structure or Khan’s improvisational choices. Later reissues or digital remasters of the album may exist, but the 1962 vinyl remains the primary documented format for this release.