Raga Lalitadhvani: Gat in Tintal

Raga Lalitadhvani: Gat in Tintal is a 40-minute instrumental composition performed by sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan. The track appears as the second piece on the album Raga Lalitadhvani, released on March 3, 1998. The recording captures Khan’s interpretation of Raga Lalitadhvani, a rare and intricate raga associated with the late-night hours in the Hindustani classical tradition. The performance adheres to the gat format, a structured improvisational form in tintal, a 16-beat rhythmic cycle.

The album Raga Lalitadhvani was issued on compact disc by an unspecified label. The release focuses exclusively on the titular raga, with Khan accompanied by tabla and tanpura, though the specific accompanying artists remain undocumented in available sources. The track exemplifies Khan’s signature style, characterized by precise meend (glissando) techniques, intricate jhala passages, and a balanced interplay between alaap and rhythmic elaboration. The recording duration of 40 minutes and 8 seconds allows for an extended exploration of the raga’s melodic and emotional range.

Amjad Ali Khan, a sixth-generation sarod player from the Bangash gharana, is recognized for his contributions to popularizing the instrument globally. While the album’s reception and commercial performance are not widely documented, the track serves as a representative example of his mid-to-late 1990s studio work. The composition follows the conventional structure of a classical gat, beginning with a slow, meditative vilambit section before transitioning into a faster drut segment. The absence of vocal accompaniment centers attention on the sarod’s expressive capabilities.

The release date of March 3, 1998, places the album within a period when Khan actively recorded and performed both traditional ragas and collaborative works. Further details regarding the recording location, production team, or additional session musicians are not publicly verified. The track remains a reference for students and enthusiasts of the Lalitadhvani raga, particularly within Khan’s discography.