Of course, that expression is what adds to the flavor of music, what makes you enjoy it even more. And you have more than the right to enjoy it, to learn the music’s various meanings, to get lost and travel in its tunes to the farfaraways and the futures that only the both of you know: into worlds that instantly form before you, into connections that you form within your head. This is why you should listen to the all the music submissions currently listed on our website available here , and completely free.

It’s exciting to see a confluence of such incredible and talented music in one place. It’s beautiful to listen. Because this music came from a generation’s reflection of what patriotism means, it is the synthesis of distilled thought from the most creative of storytellers. There is rich emotion in this sort of music, and something you would love to lend an ear to!

We thought so too. We thought you would love to listen. From the feedback that we’ve got and from personal experience listening to these songs, I’d like to say that this is the sort of music that is more than just intelligent. This is the sort of music that can move you, change your day, make you proud, make you reflect, emulate and inspire. This seems like the first time that such a huge digital library of contemporary patriotic fervor in music has been documented. It’s made available to the public, completely free, completely enjoyable and completely relatable. Because this music was formed by the common man, from the local bands and the dreamers—the you and I’s who wished to share their perspective. That, of course, makes it true and much more compelling.

Desh Raag attracted more than a hundred participating bands. It displayed talent in different languages and different genres. It is tailored to be understood by each and every one. If you do prefer Folk over Rock, there are very many folk songs that you can favorite. If you like alternative, do go take a look and learn to sing along! Maybe you will love it enough to learn it and spread the love by telling your family and friends. Also, don’t hesitate to write to the artists indicating your appreciation for their music!
Personally, this music was a quiet healing to me. When I was brain-dead and in need of an inspiration, when I was fatigued and just wanted to relax, when I wanted to contemplate the beginnings of my country, when I wanted to feel closer to home, I would always turn to this music. It revived a part of me and totally rejuvenated me. Sometimes, it astounded me and surprised me in the pleasantest of ways. It’s just beautiful to close your eyes and be carried away into an experience that you’ve only begun to unravel. That, to me, represents the essence of such an endeavor.

My suggestion is—go listen. Lend an ear or three. Experience. Understand. Appreciate. Applaud. If you find something worthy of your interest, become a fan. When you are stressed out and need to grant clarity to a muddled head, listen to this music, something that is full of soul. When you feel lonely, half-forsaken in the desert sands of confusing conflicts, feel the music that came from the heart. It will speak to you. When you feel distant, like you don’t matter, listen to the music that is homely and whole-heartedly welcoming. It will take you to the place you want to be. Always.

Thanks for your support. May you always delight in this musical enchantment.

*Note: The music that came to Desh Raag is available to listen here, completely free. Lyrics have also been provided by the respective bands.

The musicians have come pouring in. We currently have more than 130 registered participants, and the music they have bought us is nothing short of miraculously unique. This has me pleasantly surprised and thinking.

Two poets never could describe history in the same words. Similarly, music never borrows somebody else’s perspective, it tries its own. It creates, continually. The beauty of any artistic pursuit is just that: to be able to create. Musicians are creators, they are an eclectic group. They also have a powerful gift within them: a simple melody can move hundreds of people into applause or much greater things. The simple tool that is music is also diverse as it can get. It finds definitions of differing meanings. For some, it is talking in a way that sounds rhythmic, and for some others, it is taking the very heart of you and rattling you inside out so that you may forever remember it as more than a memory. Music can be translated into varying emotions, often nameless and often not labeled by words: it can plunge you to despair and elevate you to feisty ambition. That is its aptitude, intelligence and gripping influence.

The music that has come to Desh Raag is colourful.  It is individual, extrodinary. It is special and intense. It is true and telling. It is also astounding in its creative experiment: how many different ways can you tell a story? How many different ways can you reinvent and transcribe an expression? Well, they have showed us. The music that has come to us sometimes takes my breath away. Many voices have been discovered and many have spoken bravely of their perspective. The melodies are full of energy, enthusiasm, sincerity. The variety to the music has arrested me. I have simply succumbed to their magic. Life is of many different degrees, and many different inspirations work to tell just one story. The variety in this music strikes me with its brilliance, leaving me open-eared and listening. Intently.

Music has come in different tunes and with different instruments, different languages.They speak of various things. They speak of liberation and breaking free. They are are sometimes untamed, sometimes fine-tuned and performed with finesse, sometimes practiced, sometimes spontaneous, but each and every song is gorgeous. Each and every one of those voices is special, because each is exclusive. I am cognizant of the amount of work it takes to make such fine music. A lot of thought goes into it, even though you can spend a mere five minutes listening and completely ignore the effort that goes into composing and rendering. It might miss your notice, but the weary musician is happy that you could get to appreciate it. That—is the fruit of his labor. The music that has come to us has both inspired and enchanted me.

There may be many languages, countless compositions, different instruments, but there is unity to the music. There is unity in the histories they speak of, to the pride they showcase, to the valor they salute, to the storytellers they become: they seep through the pores of your skin and caress your soul. They are of many genres: Rock, Alternative, Hip-hop and have been titled in many unexampled ways, they are visionary. They are such a marvel, each and every one of them.

For the people who participated: a huge thank you. Thank you for bringing so much life and emotion into this storytelling, thank you for expressing and believing, thank you for creating and striving. The amount of happiness you have bought, variety you have infused, and talent you have exposed has left me awed, moved and endlessly revering the everlasting treasure that is patriotic music.

Keep surprising us.

–Editor

The organizing committee is proud to announce more than 180 registrations for Desh Raag! Entries have started pouring in, and it seems the competition will be really tough! The submission of entries and registrations, both will end on 15th April 2012.

We urge all our registered members to submit their entries as soon as possible.

- Please click submit after you log into the website with your credentials.

- Please fill out the submission form completely with correct information.

- Needless to say, all fields marked as star are mandatory. Read the form carefully before filling.

- You will be asked to upload an audio file within the size limits of the competition, so keep it ready.

- For bands/artists who haven’t registered yet, please register first (to aid in registrations please click the registration help link) and then follow the above steps to submit the entry before 15th April 2012.

We have already received more than 50 entries with a huge diversity of brilliant music. Don’t miss this chance!

Best of luck to all participants!

Regards

Overall Coordinator

Desh Raag came into existence as more than an idea, it was the brilliant innovation that will culminate an intense patriotic fervor with a musical awakening. Such things happen to every one of us, our stories are fine tuned instruments, if we lend them voice as music—they become our souls. Embracing our inner musician and rejoicing history in tune, undying passions at the heart of art: it is the celebration of the human element within us. Music can stir. Music can voice. Music—can tell the story of a nation. It will be understanding; an unlikely enlightenment for those who have not already seen it. An edification is most in evidence now.

Desh Raag is voice for you. Music never got more personal. With varied and talented artists, musicians and instrumental geniuses from all over applauding, watching and supporting the phenomenal movement, we’re making it big. Because talent should never die on your doorstep, showcase it. You deserve to shine.

There has been no poverty of sound today, but out of the clamor that surrounds, distinguish. Spare a moment to separate each dissonant discord of irrelevance from the profound tales that speak of morals: sieve the music from the noise. Present your findings, laced in your own original perspective, in your own voice for the world to hear. Tell that story bold and clear. Roar it to the skies. The world deserves to hear the stories that matter, the words deserve to find expression—your love, positivism, and admiration for the country. Speak of its history, salute its achievements, acknowledge its attempts at improvement, encourage positive ideals, strive to keep your promises, and know how you can contribute to constructive changes. Stirring the world takes your voice, because you matter. Getting up on stage and showing your participation is a way.

I have met emotional music in the most unlikely of places: in temple courtyards and down damp lanes, beneath pendals and obscured streets. I have met patriotism in unlikely places as well—not just in the tricolor flag of marching school children on Independence Day. I have seen it in the eyes that tell a story, I have seen it in the assistant film director who wants to mould his vision into the tangible. Music if of the limitless imagination, a timeless voice across boundaries. It communicates to the soul, and tells stories of substance. Regard this opportunity.

There are times that come when all the limelight is on you. There are times for you to tell a story. Well, this is your time. Tell us of the nation. Tell us unremembered histories, tell us of the freedom fighter of ninety three you met, tell us of your creative visions for the future, the urban improvements, all the things that still have you smiling, all the things that make you proud to be Indian.

Tell the nation’s story.

The world is waiting to hear.

Happy Republic Day.

–Editor

It is our pleasure to let you know that now there are more than 180 individual artists and bands registered with Deshraag. Do not wait for the last minute, please register now and start composing your original music for this competition. Registrations will close on April 15th, 2012.