Raga Darbari Kanara (Evening Raga): First Gat In Raga Misra Mand (Jor) / Tala Kaharwa 8 Beats (Jhala) / Second Gat In Tal Chachar 14 Beats

Raga Darbari Kanara (Evening Raga): First Gat in Raga Misra Mand (Jor) / Tala Kaharwa 8 Beats (Jhala) / Second Gat in Tal Chachar 14 Beats is a 1965 instrumental recording by sarod maestro Ali Akbar Khan. The performance spans 12 minutes and 40 seconds and showcases two distinct gats (compositions) within the framework of Raga Darbari Kanara, a raga traditionally performed during the evening.

The recording opens with a jor (medium-tempo development) in Misra Mand, a compound raga derived from Darbari Kanara. The first gat employs tala Kaharwa, an 8-beat rhythmic cycle. Khan transitions into the jhala section, characterized by rapid strumming and percussive strokes on the sarod. The second gat shifts to tala Chachar, a 14-beat cycle, demonstrating Khan’s command of complex rhythmic structures.

The recording captures Khan’s improvisational prowess and adherence to the gayaki ang (vocal-style phrasing) on the sarod. The accompaniment details remain undocumented, but the performance aligns with Khan’s established collaborations, often featuring tabla support. The label and original release format are unverified in available sources, though the recording circulates in archival collections and reissues dedicated to Khan’s work.

Notable for its structural depth, the recording exemplifies the Darbari Kanara tradition through Khan’s interpretation. The composition balances alaap-like elaboration with rhythmic intricacy, a hallmark of his mid-1960s output. No standalone track titles exist for the gats; the recording is identified by its raga, talas, and performance segments.