Raga Des

Desh also called as Des. It is a Hindustani classical music raga, which belongs to the Khamaj thaat. This raga is very similar to raga Khamaj. This raga is a monsoon raga. It is often played at night. Desh is a popular raga, well suited for light classical and seasonal compositions. This Raag is a very sweet melody that announces itself with the combination D s m G R - G ,N s S. The musical compositions in this Raga bear the Shadja-Pancham (S-P) and Shadja-Madhyam (S-m) bhava and therefore very pleasing and essentially melodic. 

This raga is very similar to raga Sorath, except for the use of Ga. In this raga shuddha Ni (in aaroha) and komal-ni (in avaraoha) are used. Re is the most prominent note (Vaadi) and Pa is next most prominent note (Samvaadi). Vaadi, samvaadi and nyaas notes are generally the resting point of the musical phrases. Proper 'conversation' between vaadi and samvaadi allows for the systematic improvisation (samvaad) based on the rules of the raga. Desh or Des bears a close resemblance to raga Kedaragaula of the Carnatic (South Indian) tradition. Although Desh has similarities with Tilak Kamod and Khamaj ragas, the proper use of vaadi helps differentiate them. 

The versatile man and Noble Laurete, Rabindranath Tagore, has very often used Desh raga in his songs (Rabindra sangeet). The popular old Doordarshan video Baje Sargam, that featured many respected Indian classical singers, is also based on Desh.

Desh raga belongs to the Khamaj thaat. It can be obtained by replacing the Shuddha Nishad of Bilawal by Komal Nishad. The ragas of this thaat are full of Shringar Ras (romantic) hence this raga is mostly rendered in the form of light classical thumris, tappas, horis, kajris etc. Its pictorial descriptions in the existing texts are sensuous and even today, the raga Khamaj is considered to be a 'flirtatious' raga. 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. Desh is a very beautiful and romantic night-time raga.

There is another theory which assumes that in the past, Khamaj scale found its way in Ch'in music of the late medieval China.

Bhatkhande has described Desh as a raga of the Sorath Anga (facet /group) under the Khamaj parent scale. In this group, he includes three other ragas – Sorath, Jaijaiwanti, and Tilak Kamod. Amongst the cousins, Jaijaiwanti and Tilak Kamod most frequently expose the musician to the danger of confused raga-identities.

Desh is a very beautiful and romantic night-time rag.

Songs based on Raga Desh

1)Sanware ke rang ranchi (Movie: Meera (1979)

2)Ham tere pyaar mein saara aalam kho baithe 

3) Aap Ko Pyar Chupane Ki Buri Adat Hai (Neela Akash) (Hindi) (1965)

4) Om jai jagadish hare ( Film: Poorav Aur Pashchim)

5) Mora Sainyan Toh Hai Pardes (Movie: Bandit Queen 1994)

6) Gori Tore Nain (Movie: Main Suhagan Hoon 1964)

7) Thandee Thandee Savan Kee Phuhar (Jaagte Raho 1956)

8) Orupushpam Mathram (Pareeksha 1967)

9) Agar Tum Saath ho (Tamasha 2015)

10) Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab humare dil mein hai (Movie: The legend of bhagat Singh (2002)

11) Pyar Hua Chupke Se (1942 A Love Story)

12) Aaji Ruth Kar Ab Kahan Jaiega ( Aarzu)

13) Takdir Ka Fasaana (Sehraa 1963)

14) Door koi gaaye, dhun ye sunaaye ( Film: Baiju Bawra)

15) Chadariya Jhini Re Jhini- kabir bhajan by Anup Jalota.  

16)  Mayilay Parannu Va (Mayilpeelikkavu) (Malayalam) (1998)

Rabindrasangeet- The songs based on this raga Des are listed below:

1) Aachhe Tomar Bidye Sadhhi

2) Aaj Taaler Boner Karotaali

3) Aaji Mor Dware Kahar

4) Amader Sokhire Ke Niye

5) Aamar E Ghore Aaponar

6) Aamar Je Sob Dite Hobe

7) Aamar Satya Mithya Sakoli

8) Aami Jene Shune Bish

9) Aar Rekho Na Aandhare

10) Anek Diner Aamar Je Gaan

11) Anek Kotha Bolechilem

12) Animesh Aankhi Sei Ke De

13) Dekhaye De Kotha Aachhe

14) Dhoroni Dure Cheye Keno

15) Dnaarao Maatha Khaao

16) Duare Dao More Rakhia

17) E Bharote Raakho Nityo

18) Ebaar Bujhi Bholar Bela

19) Ebaar To Jouboner Kachhe

20)Jeyo Na Jeyo Na Phire

For more details please click on link below

https://meetkalakar.com/Artipedia/raga-desh#:~:text=This%20raga%20is%20very%20similar%20to%20raga%20Sorath%2C%20except%20for,point%20of%20the%20musical%20phrases.

You tube link 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKCgv5oHDN4&t=1s

Raga Charukeshi

Raga Charukeshi is a very melodious raga. This raga is relatively new as it is adopted from Carnatic Music into Hindustani style of singing.

Charukesi is a raga in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is the 26th Melakarta ragam in the 72 melakarta ragam system of Carnatic music. It is called Tarangini in Muthuswami Dikshitar school of Carnatic music.

Charukesi is known to incite feelings of pathos and devotion in the listener.

This raga can be rendered without any restrictions in all the three octaves. Pancham is skipped occasionally in Aaroh as well as Avroh like G m d P or P d n d m G R. One can find shades of many ragas in Charukeshi like: S R G m shows Nut Ang, G m d P shows Bhairav Ang, n S' R' S' d ; d n R' S' shows Darbari shade, R G m R S shows Nut-Bhairav Ang, which combined together gives this raga a unique and independent character.

It is the 2nd ragam in the 5th chakra Bana. The mnemonic name is Bana-Sri. 

Songs in Raga Charukeshi 

1) Akele Hain Chale Ao - Film - Raaz

2) Bainya Na Dharo - Film - Dastak (Old)

3) Bedardi Balama - Film - Arzoo

4) Bekhudi Mein Sanam - Film - Haseena Maan Jayegi

5) Chalo Sajna Jahaan Tak - Film - Mere Humdam Mere Dost

6) Chhod De Saari Duniya Kisi Ke Liye - Film - Saraswati Chandra

7) Jaan-E-Jaana Jab Jab Teri Surat Dekhun - Film - Jaan Baaz

8) Kisi Raha Men Kisi Mod Par (a.k.a Mere Hamsafar) - Film - Mere Hamsafar

9) Koi Jab Tumhara Hriday Tood De - Film - Purab Aur Paschim

10) Megha Re Megha Re - Film - Pyaasa Saawan

11) Mohabbat Ke Suhane Din, Javani Ki Hansi Raaten - Film - Maryada

12) Shyam Teri Bansi Pukare Radha Naam - Film - Geet Gata Chal

13) Teri Ummid Tera Intzaar Karte Hai - Film - Diwanaa

14) Ek Tu Jo Mila - Film - Himalay Ki God Mein

15) Aisa Lagta Hai Zindagi Tum Ho - Non-film song

For more details please click on link below -

https://meetkalakar.com/Artipedia/Charukeshi

YouTube link -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQrs2CDJPYk

Raga Miyaan ki Malhar or Raga Malhar

 Malhar is a Hindustani classical raga. Malhar is associated with torrential rains.

This Raga is also referred to as 'Miya Malhar' since it was a wonderful creation by Sangeet Samrat Miya Tansen. The combinations of the melody can really ape the vagaries of nature in the thunder of clouds and the rain torrents falling from sky onto the earth. The Shuddha Nishad of Madra Saptak makes the Raga very impressive and sweet rendering requires bold presentation of the combinations to enthrall the audience with the Raga mood.

Besides the basic Shuddha Malhar, which was the original Malhar, several Malhar-related ragas use the Malhar signature phrase m (m)R (m)R P, including - Miyan ki Malhar,  Megh Malhar, Ramdasi Malhar,  Gaud Malhar, Sur Malhar, Shuddha Malhar, Desh Malhar, Nat Malhar, Dhulia Malhar and Meera ki Malhar. This phrase is prominently heard in the raga 'Brindavani Sarang'.

It can be determined that raga Malhar or rather Miyan ki Malhar is a mixture of ragas 'Brindavani Sarang', raga 'Kafi' and raga 'Durga'.This raga has a Vakra form (meaning that the svaras of a raga are not completely arranged in a particularly straightforward manner), and is classified as a Gambhir Prakriti raga (meaning that it is played slow with patience, and it is played in a serious tone/note).

One of the most popular rags of the malhar family, Miyan ki malhar or Miya malhar is supposedly a creation of the legendary Miyan Tansen and patronized by the great Emperor Akbar. Many interesting anecdotes are woven around this rag because of its association with the rainy season, and the texts of vocal compositions include descriptions of rain, thunder, clouds, lightning, etc. (Bhatkhande).  Bhatkhande describes this rag as a mixture of Malhar and Kanada.

History

According to legend, Malhar is so powerful that when sung, it can induce rainfall.

Many written accounts describe the Raga Malhar. Tansen, Baiju Bawra, Baba Ramdas, Nayak Charju, Miyan Bakhshu, Tanta rang, Tantras Khan, Bilas Khan (son of Tansen), Hammer Sen, Surat Sen, and Meera Bai are some of those said to be capable of starting rains using various kinds of Raga Malhar.

Mughal emperor Akbar once asked his court musician Miyan Tansen to sing 'Raga Deepak', the raga of Light/Fire, which caused all the lamps in the courtyard to light up and Tansen's body to become so hot that he had to sit in the nearby river to cool himself. However, the river began to boil, and it became apparent that Tansen would soon boil to death. So he set out to find someone who could sing Raga Malhar to cure him. In due course, he reached Vadnagar, a town in Gujarat. There he came across two sisters named Tana and Riri, whom he asked for help, to which they agreed. The moment they started singing the Raga Malhar, rains came down in torrents, which helped cool Tansen's body.

The many variations of Raga Malhar have been categorised chronologically by era – prachina (before the 15th century), madhyakalina (15th – 18th century) and arvachina (19th century and beyond). Ragas Shuddha Malhar, Megh Malhar and Gaud Malhar belong to the first period. 

Variations of Malhar include:

1) Anand Malhar (first sung by Gaan Saraswati Kishori Amonkar)

2) Chhaya Malhar

3) Desh Malhar

4) Gaud Malhar

5) Meerabai Ki Malhar

6) Megh Malhar

7) Miyan Ki Malhar, also known as Gayand Malahar as both nishad shudh and komal swing around the dhaivat like a (gayand)elephant swinging his head

8) Ramdasi Malhar

9) Dhulia Malhar

10) Charju Ki Malhar

11) Nanak Malhar

12) Shuddha Malhar

13) Surdasi Malhar

Marathi Songs in Raga Malhar

1)  Aaj Kunitari yave

2) Ghan ghan mala nabhi datalya

3) Jan palbhar mhantil 

4) Jivlaga kadhi re yeshil tu

5) Mana manav wa parmeshwar 

6) Raghupati aplya padasparshane

Hindi songs in Raga Miya ki Malhar

1) Baadal Ghumad Bhar Aaye (Film - Saaz, Year - 1998)

2) Bhaye Bhanjana...Darasa Tere Mange Main Tera Pujari (Film - Basant Bahar, Year - 1956)

3) Bole Re Papihara, Papihara (Film - Guddi, Year - 1971)

4) Karo Sab Nichhavar (Film - Ladki Sayadri Ki, Year - 1966)

5) Na Na Na Baraso Baadal (Film - Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan, Year - 1959)

6) Nach Mere Mora Zara Nach (Film - Tere Dwar Khada Bhagwan, Year - 1964)

7) Baagad Bam Bam Bam Baaje Damaru (Film - Kathputli, Year - 1957)

For more details click on link below -

https://meetkalakar.com/Artipedia/Miyaan-ki-Malhar

YouTube link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXeMPC8tPV8 

Raga Megh Malhar or Raga Megh

Megh is a Hindustani classical raga. The meaning of Megh in Sanskrit is 'Cloud'. Hence this raga is mostly sung or played in the Monsoon season. Another raga which describes rain is raga Malhar. So these 2 ragas where merged and a new raga was developed, this raga is raga Megh Malhar. The Carnatic equivalent of this raga is Madhyamavati. 

This Raga can be mastered only after learning it from Guru mukh. Being a very old Raga, Megh Malhar is rendered with the influence of Dhruvpad Ang which uses a lot of Gamak and Meend. This Raga can be freely elaborated in all the three octaves and creates a rather deep atmosphere. 

Megh Malhar, a raga of considerable antiquity, is associated with the rainy season, and is considered a serious and profound raga, prescribed for performance around midnight. In this sense, this raga may be considered to represent the sombre, and even awesome, facet of the advanced monsoon (July-August), in contrast with Miyan ki Malhar and other Malhar variants, which are explicitly euphoric at the onset of the rainy season (June-July), and the imminent relief from the scorching Indian summer.

Musicologist V.N. Bhatkhande, writing in the first quarter of the 20th century (Sangeet Shastra) observed that Megh Malhar is known to and performed by only a few Ustads although, according to him it was not a particularly difficult raga to master. The popularity of the raga has improved considerably since then, even if some of the ambiguities surrounding the raga still remain unresolved.

Subba Rao (Raga Nidhi) treats Megh and Megh Malhar as two names of the same raga, and goes on to list two versions of it, along with several sub-versions. Bhatkhande lists Megh Malhar as a variety of Malhar, and uses the two names interchangeably, while also identifying several variants of the raga in vogue in his era.

Historical Information

This is one of the very old ragas found in Indian classical music. This raga is related from Lord Krishna time period, when Govardhan Parvat (mountain) was on Lord Krishna's short finger during the Govardhan leela, then Lord Shiva generated a Damru sound to protect Lord Krishna. That sound which was generated by the Damru was raga Megh.

There is legend stating that Tansen's physical agony after singing Raga Deepak (Poorvi Thaat) was pacified with listening to Raga Megh Malhar rendered by two sisters, Tana and Riri.

Hindi film songs based on Raga Megh Malhar

1) Lapak Jhapak ( Boot Polish - 1954)

2) Aaj Madhuvatas Dole ( Stree -1961)

3) Ang Lag Ja Balma - A.k.a Kaare Kaare Badra, Suni Suni Ratiya (Mera Naam Joker -1970)

4) Baraso Re Baraso Re (Tansen (1943)

5) Duhkh Bhare Din Bite Re Bhaiyaa (Mother India -1957)

6) Tan Rang Lo Ji ( Kohinoor -1960)

7) Tum Agar Sath Dene Kaa Vada Karo (Hamraaz - 1967)

Tamil film songs in Raga Megh Malhar

1) Muthukkalo Kangal (Nenjirukkum Varai)

2) Kana Kaanum (Agni Sakshi)

3) Velli Malarae (Jodi)

4) Oru Deivam Thantha Poove (Kannathil Muthamittal)

5) Ennai Konja Konja (Aathi)

For more details click on link below 

https://meetkalakar.com/Artipedia/Megh-Malhar

You tube link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrRnqL4aMIc