Raga Chhayanat

Raga Chhayanat is a 1958 recording by Indian classical musician Ali Akbar Khan. The performance features Khan on the sarod, accompanied by an unidentified tabla artist. The recording spans 19 minutes and 58 seconds and exemplifies the Alap-Jor-Jhala structure characteristic of the Maihar gharana.

The composition centers on Raga Chhayanat, a melakarta raga from the Carnatic tradition adapted into Hindustani classical music. Khan’s interpretation emphasizes the raga’s shuddha dhaivat and komal nishad phrases, rendered in the slow, meditative vilambit tempo before transitioning to faster rhythmic cycles. The recording likely originated from a live concert or studio session, though the exact venue and production details remain undocumented.

The release format and label are unverified, as the recording predates standardized commercial distribution metadata. Later compilations of Khan’s work, including anthologies by labels such as Connoisseur Society and Navras Records, have featured this performance. No standalone album title is associated with this track, and the accompanying artists’ names are not preserved in available sources.

Notable aspects of the performance include Khan’s use of meend (glissando) and gamak (ornamentation) to explore the raga’s emotional depth. The recording concludes with a jhala section, showcasing rapid stroking techniques on the sarod. The track serves as a reference for students of the Maihar gharana and remains a study piece in Khan’s discography.