Pandit Vishnu Narayan Bhatkande, the pioneer of modern Indian classical music categorized all raag into 10 different Thaat. Kafi Raag is the principal raag of one of the Thaat known as Kafi Thaat.
As per Bhatkande, the name of this raag ‘Kafi’ first used by Lochana Pandit in his raag called Raag Tarangini. Lochana Pandit was a musician who lived in the Mithila district around 15th Century CE.
Many musicians believe that the this raag has come to us from folk music. Folk music in Tappa, Hori, Dadra, Kirtan, and Bhajans from different parts of India have been composed in this raag. This raag is also known as Bhairavi of night.
Kafi raag has many variations that exist today. Both shudh Ni and Ga are occasionally used. Vivadi swaras used commonly in this raag because of which it has given rise to another raag called Mishra Kafi.
Raag Kafi is traditionally performed in the evening hours. The atmosphere this raag created is suitable for both feelings of separation and union.It corresponds to Kharaharapriya in Carnatic music.
Also read : How to do practice of raag in effective way.
- Thaat : Kafi
- Jaati : Sampurna-Sampurna
- Vadi Swara : Pa
- Samvaadi Swara : Sa
- Samay ( Time ) : mid-night
- Vajrya ( Prohibited ) swara : asdasd
- Komal Swara : Ga(k), Ni(k)
- Similar Raaga : Mishra Kafi
Raag Structure : Aaroh , Avroh and Pakad
Kafi Raag Aalaap and Bandish
Aalap :
- Sa – Re Ma Ga(k) – Re Sa ni(k) dha Sa
- Sa , Re Pa Ma Pa Ga(k) , Re Ni(k) Dha Ni(k) Pa Dha Ma Pa Ga(k) , Re Ma Ga(k) – Re Sa
- Ma Pa Ga(k) Re , Ga(k) Ma Ni(k) Pa , Re Ga(k) Ma Pa Dha Ni(k) Dha , Ma Pa Dha Ma Pa Ga(k) Re , ni(k) dha Sa
- Ma – Pa Dha Ni(k) Dha SA – – Dha Ni(k) SA RE GA RE SA – RE Ni(k) Dha Pa , Ma Pa Dha Pa Ma Pa Ga(k) Re – Sa –
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