Desh

Desh is a good example of why raga grammar is more than a fixed note set: it uses shuddha Ni ascending but komal ni descending, and Ga only appears in the descent, never the ascent — a note's role can genuinely depend on direction. Built on the Khamaj thaat, it has a lighter, more folk-adjacent character than the older morning and night ragas, and is closely associated with patriotic and devotional songs — Vande Mataram is commonly cited as being set in Desh, though renditions vary. Traditionally performed in the evening.