Desh (raga)

Desh or Des is a Hindustani classical music raga which belongs to the Khamaj thaat. This raga is very similar to raga Khamaj.

Technical description
The raga is of audava-sampurna nature, i.e., in its arohana (ascent) only five notes are used, whereas the avarohana (descent) uses all the seven notes. Shuddha Ni is used in the arohana, while Komal Ni (represented as ni below) is used in avarohana. All other swaras are shuddha.
 * Arohana: Ni Sa Re, Ma Pa Ni, Sa.
 * Avarohana: Sa ni Dha, Pa Dha Ma Ga Re, Pa Ma Ga, Re Ga Ni Sa.
 * Pakad: Re, Ma Pa Ni, Sa Re ni Dha Pa, ma Ga Re
 * The vadi swara is Re

The ascent in this raga is a step by step pentatonic movement which goes like this: Sa, Re, Ma Pa, Ni Sa’.

Samayam (Time): The raga is to be sung during the second quarter of the night (9PM to 12AM).

Re is very prominent, quite a few times the singer rests on Re, making it a centre to the melody. The Meend from Ma to Re via Ga is one of the most vital features of the raga. The arohana via shuddha Ni, and the transition from Re to komal Ni in the avarohana form an important part of the melodies in this raga. Further, Desh is quite close to neighboring ragas like Tilak Kamod, and hence requires skillful rendition to separate itself.

Prominent Songs
Desh has been used in a few patriotic compositions. Vande Mataram, the national song of India, is the most well-known. The popular old Doordarshan video Baje Sargam, that featured many respected Indian classical singers, is also based on Desh.

Rabindrasangeet based on the raga
The polymath and Nobel laureate, Rabindranath Tagore, had very often used Hindustani Classical Music and Carnatic Classical Music in his songs (Rabindrasangeet). The songs based on this raga Des are listed below:


 * Aachhe Tomar Bidye Sadhhi
 * Aaj Taaler Boner Karotaali
 * Aaji Mor Dware Kahar
 * Aamader Sokhire Ke Niye
 * Aamar E Ghore Aaponar
 * Aamar Je Sob Dite Hobe
 * Aamar Satya Mithya Sakoli
 * Aami Jene Shune Bish
 * Aar Rekho Na Aandhare
 * Anek Diner Aamar Je Gaan
 * Anek Kotha Bolechilem
 * Animesh Aankhi Sei Ke De
 * Dekhaye De Kotha Aachhe
 * Dhoroni Dure Cheye Keno
 * Dnaarao Maatha Khaao
 * Duare Dao More Rakhia
 * E Bharote Raakho Nityo
 * Ebaar Bujhi Bholar Bela
 * Ebaar To Jouboner Kachhe
 * Ebaar Ujaar Kore Lowo He
 * Ei Lobhinu Songo Tabo
 * Ei Shrabon Bela Badol Jhora
 * Emon Dine Taare Bola Jaay
 * Eso Aamar Ghore
 * Eso Shyamalosundaro
 * Gagoner Thale Robi Chandra
 * Gahonraate Shrabondhara
 * Garob Mamo Horechho Prob
 * Haay Ke Dibe Aar Santona
 * Hey Bidesi Eso Eso
 * Jaag Jaag Re Jaag Sangeet
 * Je Din Sakol Mukul
 * Jeyo Na Jeyo Na Phire
 * Jhore Jaay Ure Jaay Go
 * Jodi Holo Jaabar Kshon
 * Keno Raaja Daakis Keno
 * Knaadale Tumi More
 * Knaapiche Deholota
 * Kotha Hote Baaje Prembedona
 * Kothaay Aalo Kothaay Ore
 * Kshomite Parilam Na Je
 * Naa Naa Kaaj Nai Jeyo Naa
 * Ogo Sundar Ekada Ki Jaani
 * Probhu Khelechhi Aanek
 * Puruser Bidya Korechinu
 * Se Aase Dhire
 * Shrabano Borisano Paar
 * Shrabonmegher Aadhek
 * Sokhi Lo Sokhi Lo
 * Taai Tomar Ananda Aamar
 * Taare Dekhate Paari Ne
 * Tomari Tore Maa Sopinu
 * Toper Taper Baadhon Katu
 * Tumi Chhere Chhile Bhule
 * Utol Dhara Badol Jhore

Carnatic Compositions
Vikasita Pankaja by Kalyani Varadarajan Vithala Salaho Swami by Purandara Dasa