Raga Lalit : Tritaal

Raga Lalit in Tritaal is a classical instrumental recording by Ustad Bismillah Khan, a preeminent Indian shehnai maestro. The composition appears as track A1 on the album The Magnificence Of Stereo, released in 1978 under the His Master’s Voice label. The album was issued on a 12\" vinyl format, showcasing stereo sound engineering prevalent in late 20th-century Indian classical music productions.

The track features Khan’s performance of Raga Lalit, a morning raga from the Komal Rishabh family, rendered in Tritaal, a 16-beat rhythmic cycle. The recording exemplifies Khan’s mastery of the shehnai, an instrument traditionally associated with North Indian (Hindustani) classical music and ceremonial occasions. The album title reflects the technical emphasis on stereo recording, which enhanced the spatial depth of instrumental performances during the era.

The Magnificence Of Stereo forms part of His Master’s Voice’s catalog of Indian classical releases, though specific details about additional tracks, accompanying artists, or production personnel remain undocumented in available sources. The 1978 release date positions the album within Khan’s mid-to-late career, a period marked by international recognition and collaborations with other prominent musicians. No reissues or digital remasters of this particular vinyl pressing have been officially confirmed.

The recording contributes to the broader discourse on Indian classical music’s adaptation to modern audio technologies, with Khan’s interpretation of Raga Lalit serving as a reference for shehnai performances in Tritaal. Further contextual information, such as session musicians or recording locations, is not publicly verified.