Rag Desh

Question 1

Raga

Answer 1

The name for the scale the piece is based on

Question 2

Rasa

Answer 2

The mood or feel of the rag - rag desh expresses longing and devotion. It is an evening/night time rag and linked to the monsoon season

Question 3

Meend

Answer 3

Bending the notes

Question 4

Tan

Answer 4

Rapid, scalic flourishes

Question 5

Drone

Answer 5

Notes played continuously through the piece by the tambura

Question 6

Alap

Answer 6

First section of the rag in free time with no pulse or metre and lots of improvisation

Question 7

Gat

Answer 7

Main section of the rag with the fixed version of the rag with much less improvisation. The drums join in in the gat

Question 8

Bandish

Answer 8

Main section (gat equivalent) of an Indian classical song

Question 9

Bhajan

Answer 9

Indian classical song

Question 10

Tihai

Answer 10

An ending phrase played 3 times to mark the end of one section and transition to the next

Question 11

Sam

Answer 11

First beat of the tala

Question 12

Bols

Answer 12

Individual beats in the tala

Question 13

Tala

Answer 13

The rhythmic pattern

Question 14

Free time

Answer 14

No fixed pulse, metre or tempo

Question 15

Sitar

Answer 15

Stringed instrument which plays the rag

Question 16

Tabla

Answer 16

Two Indian drums

Question 17

Tambura

Answer 17

Drone instrument

Question 18

Sarangi

Answer 18

Bowed, small stringed instrument

Question 19

Sarod

Answer 19

Plucked, small stringed instrument

Question 20

Cymbals

Answer 20

Small cymbals, hit against each other

Question 21

Pakhawaj

Answer 21

Doubled-headed drum

Question 22

Bansuri

Answer 22

Indian flute

Question 23

Esraj

Answer 23

Large, bowed stringed instrument

Question 24

Hinduistani

Answer 24

The Hindu tradition which Rag Desh belongs to