About Raga Desh - Evening Raga
Raga Desh – Evening Raga is an Indian classical music album released in 1989 by sitar maestro Vilayat Khan and tabla player Sabir Khan. The album presents a full-length performance of Raga Desh, a traditional evening raga in Hindustani classical music. Nataraj Music issued the recording in CD format as an official release.
Vilayat Khan performs the sitar on the album, while Sabir Khan accompanies on tabla. The recording captures a live or studio rendition structured in the classical alap-jor-jhala-gat format. The first track, titled Alap, introduces the raga through a slow, meditative exploration of its melodic framework without rhythmic accompaniment. This segment establishes the emotional and tonal foundation of Raga Desh.
The second track, Vilambit Laya And Madhya Laya In Teental (16 Beats), transitions into a rhythmic cycle. Vilayat Khan executes the vilambit gat (slow composition) in Teental, a 16-beat rhythmic pattern, followed by a madhya laya gat (medium-tempo composition). Sabir Khan provides tabla accompaniment, maintaining the rhythmic structure while engaging in improvisational exchanges with the sitar.
The album consists of two tracks, each representing distinct phases of a traditional Hindustani classical performance. The recording adheres to the conventions of khayal and dhrupad traditions, emphasizing melodic development and rhythmic interplay. Details regarding the recording venue, exact performance date, or additional personnel are not documented in available sources.