Raag Charukeshi

Raag Charukeshi is a 59-minute-20-second khayal-based instrumental performance featured as the second track on the 2002 studio album Sonorous Sound of Sarangi. Ustad Sultan Khan rendered the composition on sarangi, accompanied by Zakir Hussain on tabla. The album released on April 22, 2002, under the Chhanda Dhara label in CD format.

The recording showcases Raag Charukeshi, a late-night raga from the Kafi thaat, characterized by its use of both shuddha and komal nishad (Ni). Sultan Khan’s interpretation emphasizes the raga’s expansive alap-jor-jhala progression before transitioning into a structured gat in madhyalaya teental. Zakir Hussain’s tabla accompaniment incorporates intricate layakari patterns and thematic responses to the sarangi’s melodic phrases.

Sonorous Sound of Sarangi marks one of several collaborations between Sultan Khan and Zakir Hussain, documenting their live and studio explorations of Hindustani classical music. The album’s production highlights the sarangi’s tonal depth, with minimal post-processing to retain the acoustic resonance of the instruments. No additional artists or overdubs are credited on this track.

The release context of the album remains partially undocumented. Chhanda Dhara, the issuing label, specialized in North Indian classical recordings during the early 2000s, though specific session details—such as recording location or engineers—are not publicly available. The track exemplifies the duo’s approach to extended raga elaboration within a concert-style framework.