“गत बिहाग” (Gat – Raga Bihag) – The Razak’s Surat Band (1932)

Long before Kadri Gopalnath popularized the use of the saxophone in Indian music in the late 1970s and 80s, Mr. Razak’s Surat Band recorded a number of records on the Twin label featuring saxophone solos.

Such bands, associated with municipalities, are often hired to perform at cultural events and marriages in India. I do not have a lot of information on this band – though there is a band still performing in India today that traces its lineage to the year 1900 when it was founded by Mr. Abdul Razak Abdul Rahim in the city of Surat (hence the name Razak’s Surat Band).

https://www.razakband.com/

I always find it thrilling to hear how Indian musicians approach an instrument such as the saxophone, piano, or violin, and completely reinterpret and adapt its sound.

Released as The Twin FT. 2356 circa 1932

This video includes both sides of the release as follows:
A गत बिहाग​, त्रिताल​ (Gat – Raga Bihag – Tritaal)
B गत बिहाग​, एकताल​ (Gat – Raga Bihag – Ektaal)