Sound of the Sarod

Sound of the Sarod is a 1967 studio album by Indian classical musician Ali Akbar Khan. The release showcases Khan’s mastery of the sarod, a lute-like stringed instrument central to Hindustani classical music. The album features two extended raga performances, emphasizing the intricate techniques of alap, jor, and jhala.

Khan recorded the album in an unspecified studio setting. The label remains undocumented in available sources. The release format consisted of a long-playing vinyl record, typical of classical music distributions in the 1960s. The album contains two tracks, each dedicated to a distinct raga.

The first track presents Raga Chandranandan with a 15-part alap followed by a short gat in tala Jhaptal. The second track explores Raga Kirwani, structured as a slow gat in tintal (16 beats) for the jor section and a fast gat in the same tala for the jhala section. Both compositions exemplify Khan’s command of melodic development and rhythmic precision.

The album’s production details, including session musicians or recording engineers, are not publicly confirmed. Sound of the Sarod remains a reference work for students of the sarod and Hindustani classical music, illustrating Khan’s influence as a performer and educator. The release date is documented as January 1, 1967, though the exact location of the recording session is unverified.