Raga Desh

Intermediate
समय
Late Evening (9 PM–12 AM)
भाव
Romantic
वादी
Re
संवादी
Pa

Desh is a popular raga associated with the monsoon season. It has a romantic, playful character and is widely used in thumri, ghazal, and light classical music. Ga and Dha appear as passing notes (kan swar) — they are used lightly, not held.

Scale (Swar)

आरोह (आरोहण)

Sa Re Ma Pa Ni Sa

e r y u o p

अवरोह (अवरोहण)

Sa Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Re Sa

p o i u y t r e

पकड़ (विशिष्ट वाक्य)

Re Ma Pa Ni Sa, Ni Dha Pa

r y u o p, o i u

The pakad is the signature phrase that identifies this raga. Memorize it first.

How to Practice

In the ascending scale, Ga and Dha are omitted. In the descending scale, they appear as passing notes. Practice the ascending scale without Ga and Dha first, then add them lightly in the descent.

Famous Compositions

Vande Mataram
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
Saawan Ka Mahina
Milan (1967)
Rimjhim Gire Sawan
Manzil (1979)

Practice Raga Desh Now

Open the free harmonium and try the scale and pakad

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