Compositions in Raag Kafi
Raag Kafi is rustic with wistful undertones. It is traditionally performed in the evening hours. This raga belongs to the Kafi thaat. Its vadi (most important note) is Pa, and samvadi (second most important note) is Re. Raag Kafi's aaroh and avaroh (ascending & descending scales) are as follows:
Below are two simple compositions (bandish) in Raag Kafi.
1. Aaj khelo shaam sang hori
This composition is a hori, which is sung around the time of Holi, the festival of colors. This particular hori describes Krishna and his beautiful lover, Radha, playing holi. The poet invites you to come and play with them, with pitchkari water squirters filled with saffron-colored water.
Aaj khelo shaam sang hori (key A♭)
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2. Chado chado chaila mori baiya
This composition is a bandish ki thumri from the Gwalior school. As a young lad, Krishna is said to have been extremely mischievous, teasing all the young women of the village. In this composition, a young woman begs him to let go of her wrist and rebukes him affectionately.
Chado chado chaila mori baiya (key B♭)
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Compositions in other ragas
- Bageshree
- Bahar
- Bhairav
- Bhairavi
- Bhimpalasi
- Bhupali
- Bihag
- Bilawal
- Darbari
- Durga
- Jog
- Kedar
- Malkauns
- Sindhura
- Yaman
