Bhatiyar - Alap - Vilambit and Drut in Teentaal

Bhatiyar – Alap – Vilambit and Drut in Teentaal is a raga performance recorded by sitarist Nikhil Banerjee for the album Classical Music of India. The track appears as the second composition on the release and spans a duration of 21 minutes and 29 seconds. Banerjee presents the raga in a traditional khayal-inspired structure, beginning with an alap that explores the melodic contours of Bhatiyar before transitioning into vilambit (slow) and drut (fast) sections set to teentaal, a 16-beat rhythmic cycle.

The album Classical Music of India was issued in 1969 under the His Master’s Voice label. The primary format of the release was vinyl, typical of commercial Indian classical recordings of the era. While the full tracklist and accompanying artists for the album remain partially undocumented in available sources, Banerjee’s rendition of Bhatiyar stands as a representative example of his interpretive approach to the Etawah gharana style, emphasizing lyrical phrasing and intricate taan patterns.

The recording captures Banerjee’s collaboration with an unnamed tabla accompanist, a standard practice in Hindustani classical performances of the period. The vilambit section adheres to a deliberate, meditative tempo, while the drut segment accelerates with improvisational flourishes and rhythmic interplay. The composition reflects the artistic conventions of late 1960s Indian classical music, balancing technical precision with expressive depth.

No additional production credits, alternate takes, or reissue details for this specific track are confirmed in public records. The original vinyl release remains a collector’s item, though later compilations or digital re-releases may exist under varying labels or formats.