Opening

\"Opening\" is a qawwali-infused vocal composition performed by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. The track appears as the fifth entry on Bandit Queen, Vol. 51, a compilation album released under the Oriental Star Agencies Ltd. label. The album entered circulation on January 1, 1995, distributed primarily in digital media format.

The recording spans 1 minute and 56 seconds, showcasing Khan’s signature improvisational style within the framework of traditional Sufi devotional music. The track exemplifies his use of sargam (vocalized solfège) and taans (rapid melodic phrases), layered over a rhythmic foundation typical of qawwali performances. Instrumental accompaniment includes harmonium and tabla, though specific session musicians remain undocumented in available sources.

Bandit Queen, Vol. 51 forms part of a larger series of compilations by Oriental Star Agencies Ltd., which curated Khan’s live recordings and studio sessions from the 1980s and 1990s. The album’s title references the 1994 film Bandit Queen, though the connection between the soundtrack and Khan’s contributions is not explicitly detailed in archival records. The label specialized in South Asian classical, devotional, and folk music, with Khan as one of its most prolific artists during this period.

Notable aspects of the track include Khan’s modulation between lower and higher registers, a technique central to his performances in the Punjabi and Urdu qawwali traditions. The composition’s brevity contrasts with his extended live renditions, suggesting an edited or excerpted version. No lyricist or composer is credited beyond Khan himself, consistent with his role as both primary artist and arranger in most of his works.

The release date aligns with Khan’s late-career phase, during which he gained international recognition while maintaining his output in traditional formats. Bandit Queen, Vol. 51 does not feature liner notes or track-specific annotations, limiting further contextual details about the recording session or intended thematic focus. The album remains available through digital platforms and physical reissues by Oriental Star Agencies Ltd.