Raga Darbari - Alap: Jor, Jhala, Gat: Madhyalaya Tritaal

Raga Darbari is a studio album by Indian classical sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan, released in 1975 under the His Master’s Voice label. The recording features a single extended performance of Raga Darbari in the Dhrupad-influenced Alap-Jor-Jhala structure, followed by a Gat composition set to Madhyalaya Tritaal (medium-tempo 16-beat cycle). The album was issued as a 12\" vinyl LP, with the performance occupying Side A in its entirety.

The track opens with an Alap, a slow, meditative exploration of the raga’s melodic framework without rhythmic accompaniment. Khan transitions into Jor, introducing subtle rhythmic pulse while maintaining the raga’s contemplative character. The Jhala section follows, marked by rapid strumming and intricate plucking techniques that build intensity. The composition concludes with a Gat in Tritaal, where Khan demonstrates technical virtuosity through taans (fast melodic runs) and layered improvisations. Accompaniment details for this recording remain undocumented, though traditional sarod performances of this era typically included tabla and tanpura support.

The album exemplifies Khan’s early career work, characterized by a balance of the Senia-Maihar gharana’s rigorous discipline and his personal lyrical phrasing. Raga Darbari, a night raga associated with solemnity and depth, belongs to the Kanada family of ragas and is traditionally performed in the late evening. The 1975 release date places the recording within a period when Khan was establishing his reputation as a leading exponent of the sarod, following his training under his father, Haafiz Ali Khan.

No reissue or digital remaster details are confirmed for this specific release. The original vinyl pressing under His Master’s Voice (a subsidiary of EMI India) remains a collector’s item for enthusiasts of Hindustani classical instrumental music. The album’s liner notes, if included, are not archived in publicly accessible sources.