Rag Bhupali

Rag Bhupali is a khayal performance recorded by Pakistani classical vocalist Ustad Salamat Ali Khan for the 1993 album Breath of the Rose. Released on June 1, 1993 by Water Lily Acoustics, the album appeared in CD format as part of the label’s series on North Indian classical music. The track occupies the second position on the release and spans 24 minutes and 6 seconds.

Khan presents the raga in the Bhupali thaat, a pentatonic scale omitting the fourth and seventh swaras (Ma and Ni). The performance adheres to the vilambit and drut sections typical of khayal, with elaborate alaap and taan development. Accompaniment details remain undocumented in available sources, though the album credits generally feature tabla and tampura support in other tracks. The recording captures Khan’s use of merukhand patterns and gamak embellishments, hallmarks of the Sham Chaurasia gharana to which he belonged.

Breath of the Rose marked one of Khan’s later commercial releases before his death in 2001. The album’s production emphasized minimal studio intervention, aligning with Water Lily Acoustics’ focus on unprocessed acoustic recordings. No alternate takes or live versions of this specific performance are confirmed in public archives. The track’s duration and structure reflect Khan’s approach to extended raga exposition, balancing technical rigor with emotive phrasing.

The original CD release included liner notes by an unnamed musicologist, though the text does not specify analytical details about this track. Reissues or digital remasters of the album have not been officially documented. Khan’s interpretation of Rag Bhupali on this recording remains a reference for the komal Re variant associated with his stylistic lineage.