Janya raga · child of melakarta 28, Harikambhoji
Desh
देश
Desh is a janya (child) raga born from Harikambhoji, the 28th melakarta. It is audava (pentatonic) in ascent, classified audava-sampurna, with the same notes as the Hindustani raga Desh. It is bhashanga: it borrows swaras from outside its parent.
Deshदेश
From the Hindustani Desh: N3 climbing, N2 falling.
Keeps all seven notes of Harikambhoji. Borrows N3 from outside Harikambhoji: a bhashanga raga. Hindustani cousin: Desh.
Arohanam and avarohanam
Desh climbs and falls along these paths:
| Arohanam (up) | S R2 M1 P N3 S' |
|---|---|
| Avarohanam (down) | S' N2 D2 P M1 G3 R2 S |
| Notes | 5 ascending, 7 descending (audava-sampurna) |
| Hindustani sargam | S R G m P D n N |
From the Hindustani Desh: N3 climbing, N2 falling.
Anya swaras (from outside Harikambhoji): N3 in the written path.
Parent and paths checked against karnatik.com, Wikipedia (List of Janya ragas), ragasurabhi.com.
The notes of Desh, as Western intervals
| Swara | Interval above Sa |
|---|---|
| S | unison (1) |
| R2 | major second (M2) |
| G3 | major third (M3) |
| M1 | perfect fourth (P4) |
| P | perfect fifth (P5) |
| D2 | major sixth (M6) |
| N2 | minor seventh (m7) |
| N3 | major seventh (M7) |
See how every swara becomes an interval in melakarta and Western music.
Songs to learn in Desh
Desh is explored most in alapana and improvisation. Sing its arohanam and avarohanam slowly over a tanpura to feel its path, and open it in the parent raga’s guide.
The parent: Harikambhoji
Desh keeps the tuning of its parent Harikambhoji but walks its own road. To see the full seven-note scale it is drawn from, its chords and its other children, read the Harikambhoji guide, or learn how janya ragas work in general.
Questions about Desh
What is the Desh raga?
Desh is a janya (derived) raga of the 28th melakarta, Harikambhoji. Its arohanam is S R2 M1 P N3 S' and its avarohanam is S' N2 D2 P M1 G3 R2 S.
What are the arohanam and avarohanam of Desh?
Arohanam (ascending): S R2 M1 P N3 S'. Avarohanam (descending): S' N2 D2 P M1 G3 R2 S.
What is Desh in Western or Hindustani music?
The Hindustani raga Desh uses the same notes.