Raga Bilaskhani Todi

Raga Bilaskhani Todi is a khayal performance recorded by Hindustani classical vocalist Ustad Rashid Khan. The track appears as the third composition on the album Evergreen, released under the Bhaian Music label. The album adopted a CD format with an unspecified total release date, though contextual evidence suggests circulation in the late 1990s or early 2000s.

The performance spans 14 minutes and 37 seconds, showcasing Khan’s interpretation of Bilaskhani Todi, a raga derived from the Todi thaat. The composition adheres to the traditional khayal style, characterized by improvisational alaap, jor, and jhala sections followed by structured bandish renditions. Khan employs the vilambit (slow) and drut (fast) tempos, accompanied by tabla and tanpura, though the album credits do not specify the accompanying artists.

Evergreen compiles Khan’s live and studio recordings, emphasizing his command over taan patterns and meend (glissando) techniques. The album title reflects a curation of enduring performances, though the full tracklist and production details remain partially undocumented in available sources. The Bhaian Music label, known for classical and semi-classical releases, distributed the CD in India and select international markets.

Khan’s rendition of Raga Bilaskhani Todi exemplifies the Gwalior-Atrauli gharana’s influence on his training, marked by clarity in sargam and layered bol-banao improvisations. The recording captures his signature vocal timbre, balancing technical precision with emotional depth. No alternate versions or live iterations of this specific performance are confirmed in public archives.