Kafi (raga)

2021-06-14T08:43:51Z

2409:4072:6E0E:C23D:D586:F783:58FB:DE91: /* Language:Tamil */

{{for|the Hindustani thaat of the same name|Kafi (thaat)}}

{{Infobox raga
| name = Kafi
| image_name =
| image_alt =
| thaat = [[Kafi (thaat)|Kafi]]
| type =
| time = 2nd Prahar of the Night (9 p.m. - 12 a.m.)
| season =
| arohana = S R g m P D n S'
| avarohana = S' n D P m g R S
| vadi = [[Panchama|Pa]]
| samavadi = [[Sa (svara)|Sa]]
| pakad = S R g m P D n S' S' n D P m g R S
| chalan = S R g m P D n S' S' n D P m g R S
| synonym = [[Bhimpalasi]], [[Bageshri]]
| equivalent =
| similar = [[Kharaharapriya]] in [[Carnatic music]]
}}
{{Hindustani_Classical_Music}}
'''Kafi''' ({{IAST3|Kāfi}}) is a ''[[raga]]'' in [[Hindustani classical music]]. It corresponds to [[Kharaharapriya]] in [[Carnatic music]].

[[Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande]] classified most ''ragas'' into ten ''[[Thaat|Thaats]]''. Kafi ''Thaat'' is one of them. The ''raga'' Kafi is the principal ''raga'' of its ''Thaat''. According to Bhatkhande, its name first appears in the [[Raga Tarangini]] of Lochana Pandit, who lived in the [[Mithila (region)|Mithila district]] around the 15th century CE.

Kafi has a direct lineage with the folk music of India. Folk music in [[Tappa]], [[Hori (music)|Hori]], [[Dadra]], [[Kirtan]] and [[Bhajan]]s from different parts of [[India]] have been composed in this ''raga''.

Many variations of Kafi exist. Contamination with ''vivadi swaras'' is common. This mixing has given rise to Mishra Kafi. Hence, a pure form of Kafi is seldom heard.

==Description==

=== Varna ===
Kafi is a ''[[sampoorna-sampoorna]]'' or [[heptatonic]] ''raga'', with ''komal'' (half a note down) ''Gandhar'' (ga) and ''Nishad'' (ni). This is also referred to as the [[Bhairavi]] of night. Both Shuddha Nishad & Gandhar are occasionally used. The atmosphere created is most suitable for both types of Shringar (Separation & Union) and hence many Thumri & Hori compositions are sung in this Raag.

===[[Arohana|Aroha]]===
Sa Re ga Ma Pa Dha ni Sa

(ga and ni are ''komal swaras'')

=== [[Avarohana]] ===
Sa ni Dha Pa Ma ga Re Sa. (ga and ni ''komal'')

=== Vadi and Samavadi ===
''Pancham'' (Pa) is the ''[[Vadi (Hindustani classical music)|vadi]] swara'' and ''Shadaj'' (Sa) is the ''[[samavadi]] swara''.

=== [[Pakad]] ===
A typical improvisation of Kafi starts as M P D P M g R, g R S, n. D. S

The phrases below and termination in R are characteristic.

S R g M P D n

S, R g M P, M P D (M) g

=== [[Raga|Chalan]] ===
The typical chalan can be illustrated as:

S S R R g g M M
P - - D M P g R
R n D n P D M P
S n D P M G R S.

M P D D n S - S
R g R S N D S -
S R S n D n D P
M P D P g - R -
R n D n P D M P
S n D P M g R S

== Organization and relationships ==
Various ''ragas'', such as [[Bhimpalasi]], [[Bageshree]], Kafi Kanada, [[Bahar (raga)|Bahar]], and [[Brindabani Sarang]] are associated with this ''raga''. Important tributaries of this ''raga'' include [[Sindhura]], [[Barwa (raga)|Barwa]], Neelambari and [[Pilu]].

In Western Classical Music, Kafi corresponds to the modern [[Dorian Mode]].

== Behavior ==

=== ''Samay'' (Time) ===
Raat ka dvitiya prahar or evening 9-12

=== Seasonality ===
The ''raga'' is performed during any season.

=== [[Rasa (aesthetics)|Rasa]] ===
The principal ''rasa'' for this ''raga'' is ''[[sringara]]''.

== Important recordings ==
* ''[[Ulhas Kashalkar]]'', ''Raga Kafi (Concert)'', 2001;
* ''[[Shobha Gurtu]]'', ''Thumri, Raga Kafi'', 1987;
* ''[[Siddheshwari Devi]]'', ''Thumri, Raga Kafi'', 1983;
* ''[[Debashish Bhattacharya]]'', ''Raga Mishra Kafi'', 1996;
* ''[[Ustad Bahadur Khan]]'', ''Raga Kafi'', 1987;

== Film Songs ==
=== Language:[[Tamil language|Tamil]] ===
Note that the following songs are composed in [[Kharaharapriya]], the equivalent of raga Kafi in [[Carnatic music]].
{| class="wikitable"
!style="background:#C71585" |Song
!style="background:#C71585" |Movie
!style="background:#C71585" |Composer
!style="background:#C71585" |Singer
|-
|Enna Seidhaalum
|[[Irumbu Thirai]]
|[[S. V. Venkatraman]]
|[[Radha Jayalakshmi]]
|-
|Ariyaa Paruvamadaa
|[[Missiamma]]
|[[S. Rajeshwara Rao]]
|[[P. Susheela]]
|-
|Maayavalaiyil
|[[Gulebakavali (1955 film)|Gulebakavali]]
| rowspan="3" |[[Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy]]
| rowspan="2" |[[T. M. Soundararajan]]
|-
|Annan Kaatiya Vazhiyamma
|[[Padithal Mattum Podhuma]]
|-
|Maharajan
|[[Karnan (1964 film)|Karnan]]
| rowspan="2" |[[T. M. Soundararajan]], [[P. Susheela]]
|-
|Aagaya Pandhalile
|[[Ponnunjal]]
| rowspan="5" |[[M. S. Viswanathan]]
|-
|Madhavi Pon Mayilaal
|[[Iru Malargal]]
| rowspan="3" |[[T. M. Soundararajan]]
|-
|Ponmagal Vandhaal
|[[Sorgam]]
|-
|Attamenna Solladi (I will sing for you)
|[[Manidharil Manikkam]]
|-
|Malligai En Mannan
|[[Dheerga Sumangali]]
|[[Vani Jayaram]]
|-
|Aayiram Nilave Vaa
|[[Adimai Penn]]
|[[K. V. Mahadevan]]
|[[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[P. Susheela]]
|-
|Isaiyai Thamizhai
|[[Agathiyar]]
|[[Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan]]
|[[Sirkazhi Govindarajan]], [[T. R. Mahalingam (actor)|T. R. Mahalingam]]
|-
|Poo Malarinthida
|[[Tik Tik Tik (1981 film)|Tik Tik Tik]]
|rowspan="21"|[[Ilaiyaraaja]]
|[[K. J. Yesudas]], [[Jency Anthony]]
|-
|Thaana Vantha Santhaname
|[[Ooru Vittu Ooru Vanthu]]
|rowspan="4"|[[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[S. Janaki]]
|-
|Vaazhavaikum Kaathalukku Jey
|[[Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989 film)|Apoorva Sagodharargal]]
|-
|Adukku Malli Yeduthu
|[[Aavarampoo]]
|-
|Pattu Onna
|[[Kumbakarai Thangaiah]]
|-
|Mappillaikku
|[[Netrikkan]]
|[[Malaysia Vasudevan]], [[P. Susheela]]
|-
|Kannukkulle Yaaro
|[[Kai Kodukkum Kai]]
|[[S. P. Sailaja]], [[P. Susheela]]
|-
|Maalai Karukkalil
|[[Neethiyin Marupakkam]]
|[[K. J. Yesudas]], [[S. Janaki]]
|-
|Roja Poo Adivanthathu
|[[Agni Natchathiram]]
|rowspan=2|[[S. Janaki]]
|-
|Iravu Nilavu
|[[Anjali (1990 film)|Anjali]]
|-
|Aethamayya Aetham
|[[Ninaive Oru Sangeetham]]
|rowspan=2|[[Malaysia Vasudevan]], [[K.S. Chitra]]
|-
|Ilam Vayasu Ponna
|[[Paandi Nattu Thangam]]
|-
|Nethu Oruthara Oruthara
|[[Puthu Paatu]]
|[[Ilaiyaraaja]], [[K.S. Chitra]]
|-
|Poongatru Thirumbuma
|[[Muthal Mariyathai]]
|[[Malaysia Vasudevan]], [[S. Janaki]]
|-
|Anandham Pongida Pongida
|[[Sirai Paravai]]
|[[K. J. Yesudas]],Sunanda
|-
|Thooliyile Ada Vantha
|[[Chinna Thambi]]
|[[Mano (singer)|Mano]], [[K.S. Chitra]]
|-
|Unnai Vaazhtha Vanthen
|[[Unnai Vaazhthi Paadugiren]]
|[[K. J. Yesudas]]
|-
|Elangaathu Veesudhey
|[[Pithamagan]]
|[[Sriram Parthasarathy]], [[Shreya Ghoshal]]
|-
|Kai Veesi
|[[Nandalala]]
|[[Vijay Yesudas]], [[Swetha Mohan]], [[Madhu Balakrishnan]],Raagul,Chandrasekar
|-
|Ilavenirkala Panjami
|[[Manam Virumbuthe Unnai]]
|[[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]]
|-
|Aanenna Pennena
|[[Dharma Durai]]
|rowspan="3"|[[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]]
|-
|Neela Vana Odayil
|[[Vazhvey Maayam]]
|[[Gangai Amaran]]
|-
|Indralogathu Sundari
|[[Uyirullavarai Usha]]
|[[T. Rajendar]]
|-
|Pachchai Nirame (Sakiye)
|[[Alaipayuthey]]
|rowspan="3"|[[A. R. Rahman]]
|[[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]], [[Clinton Cerejo]]
|-
|Kilimanjaro
|[[Enthiran]]
|[[Javed Ali]], [[Chinmayi]]
|-
|Mayiliragae Mayiliragae
|[[Anbe Aaruyire (2005 film)|Anbe Aaruyire]]
|[[Naresh Iyer]], [[Madhushree]]
|-
|Gulmohar Malare
|[[Majunu]]
|rowspan="4"|[[Harris Jayaraj]]
|[[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]]
|-
|Mudhal Mazhai
|[[Bheemaa]]
|[[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]], [[Mahathi]], [[R. Prasanna]]
|-
|Suttum Vizhi
|[[Ghajini (2005 film)|Ghajini]]
|[[Sriram Parthasarathy]], [[Bombay Jayashree]]
|-
|Yaaridamum
|[[Thotti Jaya]]
|[[Ramesh Vinayagam]], [[Harini (singer)|Harini]]
|-
|Sangeetha Swarangal
|[[Azhagan]]
|rowspan=2|[[Maragathamani]]
|[[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]],Sandhya
|-
|Sogam Eni Ellai
|[[Vaaname Ellai]]
|[[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]] & [[Maragadha Mani]](Chorus)
|-
|Janaki Devi
|[[Samsaram Adhu Minsaram]]
|rowspan=3|[[Shankar Ganesh]]
|[[K.S. Chitra]]
|-
|Rendu Kannam Santhana Kinnam
|[[Sivappu Malli]]
|[[K. J. Yesudas]], [[P. Susheela]]
|-
|Panivilum Paruvanila
|Paneer Nadhigal
|[[K. J. Yesudas]]
|-
|Kanava Ninaiva
|[[Aasal]]
|[[Bharadwaj (music director)|Bharadwaj]]
|V. V. Prasanna, [[Manjari (Indian singer)|Manjari]]
|-
|Santhikkadha Kangalil Inbangal
|[[180 (2011 Indian film)|180]]
|[[Sharreth]]
|[[Unni Menon]], [[K.S. Chitra]], [[S. Sowmya]]
|-
|Inni Naanum Naanilai
|rowspan="2"|[[Yai! Nee Romba Azhaga Irukke!]]
|[[Srinivas (singer)|Srinivas]]
|[[Srinivas (singer)|Srinivas]], [[Sujatha Mohan]], [[Sunitha Sarathy]]
|-
|Yamini Yamini
|Arvind-Shankar
|[[Harish Raghavendra]]
|-
|Aathadi Manasudhan
|[[Kazhugu (2012 film)|Kazhugu]]
|rowspan=3|[[Yuvan Shankar Raja]]
|[[Priya Himesh]], [[Karthik Raja]]
|-
|Dheivangal Ellam
|[[Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga]]
|rowspan=2|[[Vijay Yesudas]]
|-
|Kadhal Vaithu
|[[Deepavali (2007 film)|Deepavali]]
|-
|Un Mela Oru Kannu
|[[Rajinimurugan]]
|[[D. Imman]]
|[[Jithin Raj]], [[Mahalakshmi Iyer]]
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
* ''Hindustani Sangeet Paddhati and his concise commentary, A Comparative Study of Some of the Leading Music Systems of the 15th, 16, 17th, & 18th Centuries'' by [[Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande]].
* http://www.tanarang.com/english/kafi_eng.htm

{{Rāgas as per Performance Time}}

==See also==

* [[Kafi (disambiguation)]]

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Hindustani ragas]]

Bharatpedia - User contributions [en]

Kafi (raga)