Raga-Sampurna Kanada Masitkhani, Madhyalaya And Drut Gat-Teental

Jotin Bhattacharya (1974) is a studio album by Indian classical sitarist Jotin Bhattacharya, released in 1974 under the His Master’s Voice label. The recording appeared on a 12\" vinyl format and features a single extended performance divided into two sides. The album title derives from the artist’s name, as was customary for many instrumental classical releases of the era.

The B-side of the vinyl presents a rendition of Raga Sampurna Kanada in the Masitkhani gat style, structured as a two-part composition. The performance begins with an alaap in vilambit laya (slow tempo) before transitioning into the madhyalaya (medium tempo) and drut gat (fast tempo) sections, both set to Teental, a 16-beat rhythmic cycle. The track exemplifies the Etawah gharana approach to sitar playing, characterized by intricate tans (melodic phrases) and a emphasis on gayaki ang (vocal-style phrasing).

The album carries no additional liner notes or documented session details, and the A-side contents remain unverified in available sources. The release period aligns with Bhattacharya’s active years as a performer and disciple of Ustad Mushtaq Ali Khan, a prominent figure in the Etawah-Imdadkhani tradition. His Master’s Voice, a subsidiary of EMI India, frequently produced classical recordings during this era, though specific production credits for this release are not archived.

Notable aspects of the Raga Sampurna Kanada performance include the use of meend (glissando) and gamak (ornamentation) techniques, hallmarks of Bhattacharya’s interpretive style. The accompaniment details, such as the tabla artist or tanpura support, are not explicitly documented in the original release materials. The album serves as a representative example of North Indian classical instrumental music from the mid-20th century, capturing the khayal-influenced sitar repertoire of the period.