Raga Desh
IntermediateTime
Late Evening (9 PM–12 AM)
Mood
Romantic
Vadi
Re
Samvadi
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)
Aroha (Ascending)
Sa Re Ma Pa Ni Sa
e r y u o pAvaroha (Descending)
Sa Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Re Sa
p o i u y t r ePakad (Signature Phrase)
Re Ma Pa Ni Sa, Ni Dha Pa
r y u o p, o i uThe 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)