This doughty musician from India’s holiest city, Varanasi, would play his auspicious Shehnai (Indian oboe) each morning at the gate of Varanasi’s most important temple, Kashi Vishwanath. Over the decades he raised the status of the Shehnai from its limited role as “Mangal Dhwani” (auspicious sound) at weddings to that of a solo concert instrument. Doordarshari offers a splendid selection from its archives. Highlight of this compilation is Raga Purya Dhanashree which the artiste played inside Diwan-e-Aam of the Red Fort on 50th Anniversary of Independence in 1997.
Introduced by: Vishwanath Rarnshesh
Vol.1
• Raga AHIR BHAIRAV
• Raga : PURIYA DHANASHREE
• Raga: MALKAUNS
• KAJRI
Vol.2
Coming together of Three Great Artistes
Ustad Bismillah Khan plays Raga Yarnan in a rare Jugalbandi with Dr N
Rajam, the Hindustani Violinist from South India, and Pandit Kishan
Maharaj on Tabla. A recording from the Ganga Mahotsav, Varanasi,
1986.