Raga Bhairavi - Thumree

Pannalal Ghosh performed Raga Bhairavi – Thumree as track A2 on the 1971 album Classical Instrumental – Flute Recital. The recording showcases Ghosh’s mastery of the bansuri, a bamboo flute adapted for Hindustani classical music. His interpretation of the thumree style within Raga Bhairavi emphasizes lyrical phrasing and emotive improvisation, characteristic of the Benaras gharana tradition he represented.

The album released under His Master’s Voice on a 12\" vinyl LP. The format aligned with the era’s standard for classical music distributions in India. Ghosh’s rendition on this track spans approximately 10–12 minutes, though exact timing varies by pressing. The recording captures his signature breath control and microtonal inflections, techniques he pioneered to expand the flute’s expressive range in classical contexts.

No additional session musicians or accompanists are documented for this track. The album’s liner notes, where available, provide minimal production details beyond Ghosh’s central role. The release date of 1971 places it in the later phase of Ghosh’s career, following his foundational contributions to flute repertoire in the 1940s–1960s. The track remains a reference for students of bansuri and thumree due to its balance of technical precision and emotional depth.

The original vinyl pressing included no alternate takes or extended versions of this performance. Later reissues or digital transfers may exist, but their fidelity to the 1971 master varies. The label’s catalog from this period often omitted detailed recording locations or engineers, leaving production specifics unverified. Ghosh’s work on this album solidified his influence on subsequent generations of flute players in both classical and film music spheres.