Raga: Basant (Taal: Teentaal)

Bismillah Khan performed Raga Basant in Taal Teentaal as the opening track on the 1966 album Shehnai Nawaz. The recording showcases Khan’s mastery of the shehnai, a classical wind instrument central to the Benaras gharana. His Master’s Voice released the album on a 12\" vinyl format under catalog details specific to the era.

The composition adheres to the structure of Raga Basant, a raga traditionally associated with the spring season in Hindustani classical music. Khan’s interpretation emphasizes the raga’s characteristic phrases (pakad) and explores its expansive melodic framework. The rhythmic accompaniment follows Teentaal, a 16-beat cycle commonly used in North Indian classical performances.

Shehnai Nawaz stands as one of Khan’s notable mid-career recordings, capturing his improvisational skill and tonal control. The album’s production reflects the recording standards of the 1960s, with analog techniques preserving the acoustic nuances of the shehnai. No additional artists or collaborators are credited for this track in available documentation.

The release date of 1966 places the work within a period of Khan’s growing international recognition, following his performance at Delhi’s Red Fort during India’s first Republic Day in 1950. His Master’s Voice, a prominent Indian label under EMI, distributed the vinyl domestically and in select overseas markets. Further details about the album’s reception or commercial performance remain undocumented in public sources.