Rag Desh (first performed in New York

Texture:

• Emphasis on melody and not chords, different texture in different sections

Harmony:

• No sense of key, other than drone, centered around open 5th chord

Instrumentation:

• Rag Desh by Anoushka Shankar: sitar, tabla
• Mhara Janam Maran by Chiranji Lal Tanwar: sarod, sarangi, pakhawaj, tabla, cymbals
• Rag Desh by Steve Gorn and Benjy Wertheimer: bansuri, esraj, shruti box, swarmandel, tabla

Rhythm:

• Rag Desh by Anoushka Shankar:t wo tals: Jhaptal (10 beat cycle) and Teental (16 beat cycle)
• Mhara Janam Maran by Chiranji Lal Tanwar: Keherwa tal (8 beat cycle)
• Rag Desh by Steve Gorn and Benjy Wertheimer: two tals: Rupak tal (7 beat cycle) and Ektal (12 beat cycle)
• First beat is called the Sam

Melody:

• Based on pattern of notes called a Rag (like a scale)

Form:

• Performances usually in 3-4 parts to allow development from slow to fast tempo. Continually getting more exciting
• Always improvised sections to contrast fixed composition element of the performance
• Structure can be identified by whether tabla is playing or if there is a sense of pulse