Raag Deshkar

Deshkar is a raag that can be easily confused with Raag Bhoopali because they both have the same notes in the Aaroh and Avroh. But that’s where the similarity ends. Deshkar belongs to the Bilawal family while Bhoopali belongs to the Kalyan family. They differ in mood, tempo, and the movement of notes.

Raag Deshkar, an introduction

Bhoopali vs Deshkar vs Shuddh Kalyan

Key features of Raag Deshkar

  • This is an Uttaraang-vaadi raag, which means this raag should be developed more in the upper tetra-chord.

  • R is skipped in the Aaroh in certain phrases. Watch the video to learn more about this.

  • Deshkar is differentiated from Bhoopali by emphasizing on D, and using P as a nyaas swar. Bhoopali, Deshkar and Shuddh Kalyan are samaprakritik raags. Care must be taken to avoid accidentally entering another raag’s territory. To further learn about the differences between these raags, watch the videos for each raag under its respective page.

  • Deshkar is sung in the morning due to the Bilawal-ang in it,

  • Mood: Veer ras (Heroism, strength, courage).

  • Movement of notes: vakra (zig zag), fickle/quick movement of notes.

  • tempo: fast

Watch the video to learn the basics of Raag Deshkar and also learn why Deshkar belongs to the Bilawal family.

Aaroh-Avroh

s r g p d su

su d p dg p, g r s,rdl s

R is oftern skipped in the Aaroh

Vadi, Samvadi

d, g
Nyaas Swars p, d, su
Jati Audav
Pakad p d g p, g r s rdl s
Time 1st prahar of the morning (7 am - 10 am)
Thaat Bilawal