Raga Charukeshi on the Sitar I Ustad Rais Khan I BCMF 2013

#bengalclassicalmusicfestival An illustrious Sitar-maestro of the Mewati gharana, Ustad Rais Khan created a signature style of playing by combining the Rudra Veena approach with the Beenkar baaj gayaki ang. In addition to extensive meend and the gandhar pancham style employed by the artist, his alaap, gatkari and gamak stands out significantly. Ustad Rais Khan’s pacing and technique made him one of the most sought artists in the Indian classical music fraternity. Ustad Rais Khan’s mother was a singer and his father a beenkar (veena player). This helped embellish his music by incorporating a unique combination of kheyal, dhrupad and thumri angs. Ustad Rais Khan performed Rag Charukeshi at Bengal Classical Music Festival 2013 where his son Farhan Khan extended able support. A judicious tabla accompaniment by Pt Yogesh Samsi added great depth to the memorable recital.