Raga Bilawal

Raga Bilawal (Khayal Drut in Teentala) is a 15-minute and 7-second khayal performance by Hindustani classical vocalist Pandit Bhimsen Joshi. The track appears as the second composition on the 1995 compilation Maestro’s Choice Series 2 – Bhimsen Joshi, released by Living Media India in digital media format.

The recording showcases Joshi’s interpretation of Raga Bilawal, a fundamental raga in the Hindustani tradition. The composition follows the khayal style in drut (fast) tempo, set to Teentala, a 16-beat rhythmic cycle. The performance highlights Joshi’s command of taans (melodic improvisations) and bol-baant (lyrical phrasing), characteristic of his vocal technique.

The album Maestro’s Choice Series 2 – Bhimsen Joshi compiles select recordings curated to represent Joshi’s artistic range. The label Living Media India distributed the release as part of a series dedicated to prominent Indian classical musicians. No additional session details, accompanying artists, or recording location are documented in available sources.