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Khyal: Classical Singing of North India. Produced by Robert Philip. Accompanying texts by Martin Clayton and Veena Sahasrabuddhe. 1998. VHS Video (available in both NTSC and PAL versions), 49 minutes. Distributed by Open University Worldwide (www.ouw.co.uk), The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, U.K. Telephone 019-0885-8585.
Khayal is the predominant vocal genre of Hindustani music. The major part of a khayal singer's performance is dedicated to improvisation. This video is an exploration of the various kinds of improvisation that constitute the performance of khayal. The first half of the video presents North Indian vocalist Veena Sahasrabuddhe whose peers recognize her as among the best of current women singers. She is the daughter of the late vocalist Shripad Borus, who was a direct disciple of Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar. As such, Sahasrabuddhe is firmly ensconced in the Hindu branch of the Gwalior gharana ("stylistic school") of khayal. This gharana is one of the two oldest and most respected of all gharanas (along with the Agra gharana). Veena was taught by...