Raag Des

Raag Des is cheerful, romantic and extremely popular. You will hear it in classical compositions, film songs and folk music. It has a light, playful quality that makes it instantly likable even to people who have never studied classical music before.

The Basics

Thaat: Khamaj

Jati: Audav-Sampurna (5 notes in Aaroha, 7 in Avaroha)

Vaadi: Pancham (Pa)

Samvaadi: Rishabh (Re)

Varjit Swars: Gandhar (Ga) and Dhaivat (Dha) in Aaroha

Special feature: Uses both Shuddha Ni and Komal Ni

Time: Second Prahar of the night, or any time

     Aaroha: Sa  Re  Ma  Pa  Ni  Sa 

       Avaroha: Sa ni Dha Pa Dha Ma Ga Re / Ga Ni Sa

Pakad: ni Dha Pa Dha Ma Ga Re / Ga Ni Sa

P.S. — the slash just marks where Des's avaroha breaks its straight descent for that classic vakra dip through Ga-Ni before settling on Sa. 

The Character

Des is light and expressive. The combination of skipping Ga and Dha in Aaroha gives the ascending movement a certain bounce, similar to Khamaj. The use of both Shuddha and Komal Ni (Shuddha in Aaroha, Komal in Avaroha) is the same pattern as Khamaj, and the two raags are indeed related through the Khamaj Thaat.

The Avaroha of Des has a characteristic phrase: Dha Pa Dha Ma Ga Re. The return to Dha after Pa before descending is very typical of Des. Without this movement, the raag loses its identity.

Re as the Samvaadi is characteristic. Phrases in Des often rest on Re with a quality of contentment. The overall character of the raag is one of everyday happiness, not the elevated spiritual mood of a morning raag or the depth of a midnight raag.

Des is widely used in film music. Many famous Bollywood songs from the classical era are based in Des. This makes it easier to internalize because you have probably heard it many times without knowing what it was.

The Exam-Ready Summary

Raag Des

Thaat: Khamaj

Jati: Audav-Sampurna

Vaadi: Pa

Samvaadi: Re

Varjit: Ga, Dha in Aaroha

Special: Shuddha Ni in Aaroha, Komal Ni in Avaroha

Time: Second Prahar of night or any time

Aaroha: Sa Re Ma Pa Ni Sa

Avaroha: Sa ni Dha Pa Dha Ma Ga Re / Ga Ni Sa

Pakad: ni Dha Pa Dha Ma Ga Re / Ga Ni Sa

Common Misconceptions

Des and Khamaj are from the same Thaat, both use two Nishads, both skip notes in Aaroha. Students confuse them. The key difference: Des omits Ga and Dha in Aaroha and has Pa as Vaadi. Khamaj omits only Re in Aaroha and has Ga as Vaadi. The Pakads are also clearly different once you know them.

Quick Quiz

1. Which Thaat does Raag Des belong to?

2. Which notes are omitted in Des's Aaroha?

3. What is the special treatment of Ni in Des?

4. How does Des differ from Khamaj?

5. What is the characteristic Avaroha phrase of Des?

Listening Task

Search for "Raag Des vocal" on YouTube. Then see if you can find any film song you recognize and look up whether it is based in Des. There is a very good chance you will find at least one. The experience of connecting a familiar song to a classical raag is one of the most rewarding moments in learning Indian classical music. 🎵

PEACE ! 🎻