Raga: Devgiri Bilawal

Devgiri Bilawal is a khayal-based raga performance recorded by Acharya Allauddin Khan Saheb, a central figure in the development of modern Hindustani classical music and the founder of the Maihar gharana. The track appears as the second composition on the album Sangeet Sadhak – Acharya Allauddin Khan, released on October 1, 2005 under the Saregama label. The recording spans 29 minutes and 38 seconds and exemplifies Khan’s mastery of the sarod, though the specific instrumentation for this track remains undocumented in available sources.

The album Sangeet Sadhak – Acharya Allauddin Khan compiles archival and studio recordings of Khan’s work, issued in CD format. While the release date indicates a 2005 publication, the original recording year of Devgiri Bilawal is not specified in accessible records. The raga belongs to the Bilawal thaat and is characterized by its expansive alap-jor-jhala structure, a hallmark of Khan’s interpretive style. No accompanying artists or vocalists are credited for this track in the album metadata.

Khan’s rendition of Devgiri Bilawal reflects his influence on subsequent generations of Indian classical musicians, including his disciples Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan. The album serves as a posthumous tribute, curating selections from his repertoire to preserve the pedagogical and performance traditions of the Maihar gharana. Further details on the recording session, such as location or production personnel, are not publicly documented.