What is Raga Des?

Raga Des is an evening raga in Hindustani classical music known for its sweet, evocative, and romantic monsoon mood. It typically uses a pentatonic ascent and heptatonic descent with prominent use of Ni and Re.

Key Facts:

Thaat: Khamaj (commonly classified)

Jaati: Audava-Sampoorna (pentatonic ascent, heptatonic descent)

Aroh (Ascending): Sa Re Ma Pa Ni Sa

Avaroh (Descending): Sa Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Re Sa

Vadi (Primary note): Re

Samvadi (Secondary note): Pa

Time: Evening and monsoon season

Mood/Emotion: Romantic, nostalgic, and gently devotional

Pakad (Signature phrase): Ni Sa Re, Ma Pa, Ni Sa; Ni Dha Pa, Ma Ga Re Ga Sa

Important notes or usage tips: Highlight Re and Ni in meend-rich phrases; use gentle oscillations and curved lines to evoke its rain-soaked, expressive character.

Raga Des is a musical scale or mode in Indian classical music. It is a raga that is performed in both the Hindustani (North Indian) and Carnatic (South Indian) classical music traditions. However, it’s important to note that there are differences in the way ragas are approached and interpreted in these two traditions.

In Hindustani classical music, Raga Des is often associated with the evening hours. The scale of Raga Des may vary, but it typically includes the following swaras (notes): Sa, Re, Ma, Pa, and Dha in the ascending order (Arohana), and Dha, Pa, Ma, Re, Sa in the descending order (Avarohana). It is a pentatonic raga, meaning it uses a five-note scale. Raga Des is known for its evocative and emotional character.

Lower Octave - sa re ga ma pa dha ne
Middle Octave - Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ne
High Octave - SA RE GA MA PA DHA NE

Raag Saragam

Aroh:

Sa Re Ma Pa Ne SA

Avaroh:

SA Ne Dha Pa Ma Ga Re Sa

Pakad:

ne Sa Re, Ma Pa, Ne SA, Ne Dha Pa, Ma Ga Re Ga Sa

Lakshan Geet #1

Guni Gaavat Raagini Desako,

Athi Madhura Madhur Dou Nishad Lai (antara)

Pa Ri Vaadi Samvaadi Sohat,

Chadhat Alpa Ga Dha Sab Kou Sammat,

Rain Din Jehi Gaavat jana (back to start)