About Charukeshi
Charukeshi is a collaborative studio album by sitarist Debasis Chakroborty and tabla player Sam Evans. The album features North Indian classical music (Hindustani) rendered in traditional raga forms. The artists released the work on October 1, 2007 as an official digital media publication. No physical label or distributor is documented in available sources.
The album comprises six tracks centered on raga interpretations. The opening composition, Rag Charukeshi, establishes the primary raga with alap and jor sections. Subsequent tracks expand the exploration with Rag Charukeshi - Vilambit Tintal, a slow-paced exposition in the 16-beat tintal cycle, and Rag Charukeshi - Drut and Jhala, which accelerates into fast-paced drut layakari and rhythmic jhala passages. The album then transitions to Rag Hansdhwani, presented in two segments: Jhaptal (a 10-beat cycle) and Drut Tintal (fast 16-beat cycle). The final track, Rag Mishra Pilu - Dhun In Dadra, adopts a lighter dhun structure in the six-beat dadra tal, blending folk and classical elements.
Debasis Chakroborty performs on sitar across all tracks, while Sam Evans accompanies on tabla. The recording emphasizes traditional gat-khayal and instrumental jugalbandi formats without overt fusion or experimental adaptations. The release date coincides with the album’s digital availability, though specific platforms or regional distribution details remain undocumented. No liner notes, producer credits, or session musicians are confirmed in accessible records.