Raga: Charukeshi (Gat In Drut Teental)

Charukeshi (Gat in Drut Teental) is a recorded performance of Raga Charukeshi by Indian classical musician Tarun Bhattacharya. The composition follows the drut teental rhythmic cycle, a 16-beat structure common in North Indian classical music. Bhattacharya performs the piece on the santoor, a hammered dulcimer instrument central to Kashmiri and Hindustani traditions.

The recording spans 8 minutes and showcases a gat, a fixed melodic composition within the raga framework. Bhattacharya employs the raga’s characteristic phrases, including the ascending and descending movements that define Charukeshi’s melodic identity. The performance adheres to the raga’s aroha-avroha (ascent-descent) pattern, with emphasis on the shuddha dhaivat (natural sixth) and komal nishad (flattened seventh) notes.

The track’s primary format remains unspecified in available sources, though it likely originated as part of a live concert recording or studio album. No label, release year, or accompanying artists are documented in the provided context. The composition’s structure includes an alaap-jor-jhala progression typical of instrumental renditions, followed by the gat in drut laya (fast tempo).

Tarun Bhattacharya, a disciple of santoor maestro Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, is recognized for his contributions to adapting the instrument for khayal-style improvisation. This performance exemplifies his approach to raga elaboration, balancing technical precision with expressive phrasing. Further details about the recording session, production, or additional tracks—if part of a larger work—are not confirmed in existing references.