Raga Pahadi Jhinjhoti: Madhya Gat In Jhaptal

Raga Pahadi Jhinjhoti is a studio album released in 2007 under the India Archive Music label. The recording features a collaboration between slide guitarist Debashish Bhattacharya and tabla player Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri. The album presents a rendition of the raga Pahadi Jhinjhoti, a blend of the Pahadi and Jhinjhoti ragas, structured in the North Indian classical tradition.

The second track, titled Raga Pahadi Jhinjhoti: Madhya Gat In Jhaptal, spans 16 minutes and 12 seconds. The composition follows the madhya gat (medium-tempo section) set in jhaptal, a 10-beat rhythmic cycle. Bhattacharya performs on the modified Hawaiian slide guitar, adapting the instrument to the intricacies of Hindustani classical music. Chaudhuri accompanies on the tabla, providing rhythmic support and improvisational interplay. The track exemplifies the gat-tod technique, where the melody undergoes rhythmic and melodic variations while retaining the raga’s framework.

The album was issued in CD format. The liner notes and packaging provide minimal documentation beyond the artist credits and track listing. The recording session’s location and production personnel remain undocumented in available sources. The release aligns with Bhattacharya’s broader work in fusing Indian classical music with slide guitar, a practice he developed through custom instrument designs and collaborations with traditional instrumentalists.

Critics and scholars often cite this album as part of Bhattacharya’s discography that explores raga adaptations on non-traditional instruments. Chaudhuri’s contribution reflects his role as a prominent accompanist in the Hindustani classical scene, known for his work with vocalists and instrumentalists across multiple generations. The album does not include additional tracks or supplementary material beyond the two primary recordings.