Dhun

Dhun is an instrumental composition performed by sitarist Rais Khan. The track appears as the second piece on Side B of the 1983 album New Sitar. Released on 12\" vinyl by the label Loft, the album showcases Khan’s interpretation of North Indian classical music through extended improvisations.

The recording spans 9 minutes and 42 seconds, featuring Khan on sitar accompanied by traditional rhythmic and melodic support, though specific collaborating artists remain undocumented in available sources. The composition follows the dhun format, a light classical or semi-classical form often based on folk melodies or devotional themes. Khan’s performance emphasizes the gayaki ang (vocal-style) technique, a hallmark of his playing influenced by his training under sitar maestro Vilayat Khan.

New Sitar represents a period in Khan’s discography where he explored fusion elements while retaining classical structures. The vinyl release reflects the production aesthetics of early 1980s world music recordings, with Loft distributing the album primarily in European and North American markets. No reissues or digital remasters of this specific track have been officially confirmed, and details about the recording location or session musicians are not publicly verified.

The track’s duration and placement on the album suggest a focus on expansive alaap-jor-jhala development, though no formal documentation exists to describe the raga or tala framework employed. Khan’s work on New Sitar contributed to the broader recognition of the sitar in global experimental and ambient music circles during the decade.