Raga Bhimpalasi

Ragas Bhimpalasi, Khambaj & Bhairavi is a studio album of Hindustani classical music released by shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan in 1994. The label Chhanda Dhara issued the recording on compact disc as part of its classical music catalog. The album features three raga performances, with the opening track dedicated to Raga Bhimpalasi.

The first track spans 35 minutes and 8 seconds, showcasing Khan’s interpretation of Raga Bhimpalasi. The composition adheres to the late afternoon raga’s traditional structure, emphasizing the shuddha dhaivat (natural sixth) and komal gandhar (flattened third) as defining swaras. Khan’s shehnai rendition incorporates alaap, jor, and jhala sections followed by a rhythmic exposition in teen tal (16-beat cycle). Accompaniment details remain undocumented in available sources.

The album’s remaining tracks include renditions of Raga Khambaj and Raga Bhairavi, though specific durations and performance details for these compositions are not publicly verified. The release aligns with Khan’s late-career recordings, capturing his signature phrasing and breath control on the shehnai. Chhanda Dhara distributed the CD without additional liner notes or session credits, limiting contextual information about the recording location or accompanying artists.

Khan’s 1994 release reflects his enduring influence on North Indian classical music, particularly in instrumental adaptations of vocal ragas. The album serves as a documented example of his live-performance style transferred to studio conditions, preserving a traditional repertoire for commercial dissemination.