Raghupati Raghav Rajaram (Bhajan)

Raghupati Raghav Rajaram is a devotional bhajan performed by Ustad Bismillah Khan on the shehnai. The track appears as side B, track 2 (B2) on the 1966 album Shehnai Nawaz, released by His Master’s Voice (HMV) in a 12\" vinyl LP format.

The composition draws from the traditional Ramdhun hymn associated with Mahatma Gandhi’s spiritual repertoire. Khan’s rendition adapts the melody for the shehnai, retaining the devotional character of the original while incorporating classical embellishments. The recording captures his signature phrasing and breath control, characteristic of the Benaras gharana style.

Shehnai Nawaz serves as one of Khan’s early commercial studio albums under HMV, a label that documented much of his work during the mid-20th century. The album primarily features instrumental shehnai performances, though specific session details—including accompanying artists, recording location, or production personnel—remain undocumented in available sources. The vinyl release followed Khan’s rising prominence after his 1947 performance at India’s first Independence Day celebrations.

The track’s duration on the original pressing spans approximately 7–8 minutes, though exact timing varies by pressing. Later reissues or digital transfers may alter the runtime. No alternate takes or live versions of this specific recording are confirmed in public archives.