Raag Des

Raag Des is a track from the 1991 collaborative album Sur Taal by Indian classical musicians Ustad Sultan Khan and Zakir Hussain. The album was released on CD under the T-Series label. The track appears as the fifth entry on the album and spans a duration of 10 minutes and 24 seconds.

The composition centers on Raag Des, a raga in Hindustani classical music traditionally performed during the late evening. Sultan Khan contributes vocals and plays the sarangi, while Zakir Hussain provides rhythmic accompaniment on the tabla. The track exemplifies the jugalbandi (duet) format, blending melodic and percussive improvisation within the raga structure.

Sur Taal emerged as a notable fusion of North Indian classical traditions, showcasing the artists’ mastery of their respective instruments. The album’s production reflects the era’s shift toward digital recording formats, though specific studio or engineering details remain undocumented. No additional musicians or composers are credited for this track in available sources.

The release date of 1991 positions the album within a period of growing international recognition for Indian classical music. T-Series, primarily known for film music and devotional albums, expanded its catalog with classical releases during this time. The track’s reception and commercial performance are not extensively recorded, but Sur Taal remains referenced in discourses on late 20th-century Hindustani instrumental collaborations.