Hindustani classic musician - Abdul Karim Khan

October 11, 2010 11:50 PM

Abdul Karim Khan (1872-1937). Master Hindustani classical musician: Piya bin chain nahi aavat, Raag Natyageet, Bengali folk, Jamuna ke teer, Raag Bilawal
posted by stbalbach (14 comments total)

The first piece is quite extraordinary . . . so beautiful. I'm not sure that the Bengali folk song is by the same man. Seems like it was recorded well after 1937 - at least to my ears. Thank you very much for this. I'll listen closely to all the rest tomorrow morning.
posted by ferdydurke at 12:02 AM on October 12, 2010

You are right about the folk song, different singer, sorry. Agree the first song is amazing.
posted by stbalbach at 12:05 AM on October 12, 2010

Thanks! Absolutely awesome. Especially love the way the static from the 78's adds layers of distance and otherworldliness that somehow make you feel like you're almost there, but that there's a mustard field and a few buffalo in between you and him.
posted by Ahab at 12:05 AM on October 12, 2010 [1 favorite]

That's really something, thank you.
posted by Abiezer at 2:26 AM on October 12, 2010

there's a mustard field and a few buffalo in between you and him
posted by The Lady is a designer at 3:12 AM on October 12, 2010 [1 favorite]

A well known country singer was once asked if he would want to go back and record on the original equipment used by Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. To which he responded, "Hell no, if Bob Wills were alive, he'd go digital."

Nice post.
posted by fourcheesemac at 4:15 AM on October 12, 2010

The Lady is not only a designer, but a poet with a pen full of link. Playing the sound from the 1905 Ghazal over the mustard field video (from about 0:45 or so) leaves me very happy indeed. Thanks!
posted by Ahab at 5:16 AM on October 12, 2010

and let's not forget his brother-in-law, Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan, another incredible singer.
posted by facetious at 5:36 AM on October 12, 2010

Has there been an FPP on ghazals yet, not specific songs but what the ghazal actually is and how it has evolved?
posted by The Lady is a designer at 7:27 AM on October 12, 2010 [1 favorite]

From your first link: It was like a walk in a cool, moon-lit garden of sweet-smelling flowers that one felt when listening to the perfectly tuneful, and dreamy cadences of Khan Saheb's music One was lifted up into a dream land. The dream haunted the mind long after the music had ceased. The Khan Saheb never sang a raga, but was in holy communion with it. It was the very divine world, as it were, which made you forget the opposites, and led you to the perfect unity with the Supreme spirit.

Lovely. So enjoyed Piya bin chain nahi aavat. Uplifting and brought me such a smile. Thank you.
posted by nickyskye at 1:50 PM on October 12, 2010

TLiad, there was this. There are some good links in the discussion as well.
posted by vidur at 3:39 PM on October 12, 2010

And the last comment in that discussion is by nickyskye!
posted by vidur at 3:42 PM on October 12, 2010

Ah, and its tagged Canada :) but thanks for the link!
posted by The Lady is a designer at 9:56 PM on October 12, 2010

The Lady is not only a designer, but a poet with a pen full of link
posted by The Lady is a designer at 2:03 PM on October 13, 2010