Lost strains, from Lucknow Doordarshan

One of the few video CD collections of Bismillah Khan 8212; the collection is titled Bharat Ratna Collection 8212; Naad Shikhar Ustad Bismillah Khan 8212; it comprises two volumes each of audio and video CDs. The collection has Raag Ahir Bhairav, Raag Purya Dhanashree, Malkauns, a kajri and Raag Yaman 8212; all rendered by the late Ustad on his shehnai. The collection also has a live recording of the Varanasi Ganga Mahotsav and a rare jugalbandi of Bismillah Khan on shehnai, N Rajam violin and Kishan Maharaj tabla.

Anil Srivasatav, assistant director of DD-Lucknow, recalled: 8220;Khansaheb was very finicky about his recordings. He wanted everything to be perfect. So, his live recordings had to be flawless, just as his recitals were flawless.8221;

Khan8217;s last recording here was at Ganna Kisan Sansthan auditorium in 2002. He had to be brought on a wheelchair. 8220;We were planning another recording with him. That would have been a lifetime achievement but now8230;8221; the Kendra8217;s assistant director trailed off.