Raga Desh is a Hindustani classical raga from the Khamaj thaat. It is an audav-sampurna raga, meaning it has 5 notes in the ascending scale and 7 notes in the descending scale. The notes of the raga are Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Da, Ni.
The baad (dominant note) of the raga is Ma. The swar (tonic note) is Sa. The raga is swar-janya, meaning it is derived from the scale Khamaj.
The raga is madhyama (medium tempo) in nature. It is viruddhatmaka (inspiring or forceful) in character. The raga is shringar rasa (love and romance) in sentiment.
The arohana (ascending scale) of the raga is:
- Ni Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Ni
The avarohana (descending scale) of the raga is:
- Ni Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Da Ni
The raga is characterized by the use of the shuddha (natural) ga note. The nishada note is komal (flat).
Some of the popular compositions in the raga Desh are:
- “Dekho Sakhi Barsan Ko Aaye” by Pt. Bhimsen Joshi
- “Rang De Basanti Cholo” from the film Rang De Basanti
- “Aaj Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai” from the film Aaj Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai
- “Bole So Nihaal” from the film Sholay
The raga Desh is a beautiful and evocative raga that has been enjoyed by listeners for centuries. It is a popular choice for both vocal and instrumental performances.
Here are some additional details about the raga Desh:
- The raga is often associated with the image of a beautiful woman, and it is often used to express feelings of love and romance.
- The raga is also associated with the season of spring, and it is often used to express feelings of joy and happiness.
The raga Desh is a versatile raga that can be used to express a variety of emotions. It is a popular choice for both vocal and instrumental performances, and it is a beautiful and evocative raga that has been enjoyed by listeners for centuries.
