Raag Kafi

Time for our first 7-note raag. Raag Kafi is Sampurna (all 7 Swars in both Aaroha and Avaroha) and it introduces you to Komal Swars for the first time in a raag context.

The Basics

Thaat: Kafi

Jati: Sampurna-Sampurna (7 notes in both Aaroha and Avaroha)

Vaadi: Pancham (Pa)

Samvaadi: Shadja (Sa)

Varjit Swars: none

Komal Swars: Gandhar (Ga) and Nishaad (Ni)

Time: Midnight (Second Prahar of night, though some sources say midnight specifically)

All other Swars are Shuddha

Aaroha: Sa  Re  ga  Ma  Pa  Dha  ni  Sa

Avaroha: Sa  ni  Dha  Pa  Ma  ga  Re  Sa

(Note: lowercase g and n indicate Komal Ga and Komal Ni in simplified notation)

Pakad: Pa Ma ga Re / Re ga Ma Pa / Ma ga Re Sa

The Character

Kafi has a melancholic, sometimes even sorrowful quality. The Komal Ga and Komal Ni give it a softness and depth that pure-note raags do not have. It is associated with longing, separation and the midnight hour.

Kafi is one of the foundational raags of Indian classical music and also one of the most widely used in semi-classical forms like Thumri, Hori and Kajri. When you hear those devotional and seasonal songs associated with Holi or monsoon, there is a very good chance they are based in Kafi or one of its relatives.

The expansion of Kafi is considered straightforward: the movements are relatively direct and not heavily ornamented. This makes it a good teaching raag while still being expressive.

When both Komal and Shuddha Gandhars are used in Kafi, it becomes Mishra Kafi. This is a common variation but for ABGMM purposes, pure Kafi uses only Komal Ga.

The Exam-Ready Summary

Raag Kafi

Thaat: Kafi

Jati: Sampurna-Sampurna

Vaadi: Pa

Samvaadi: Sa

Varjit: none

Komal: Ga, Ni

Time: Midnight

Aaroha: Sa Re ga Ma Pa Dha ni Sa

Avaroha: Sa ni Dha Pa Ma ga Re Sa

Pakad: Pa Ma ga Re / Re ga Ma Pa / Ma ga Re Sa

Common Misconceptions

Kafi is the name of both the raag and the Thaat. Kafi raag is the main or Ashray (shelter) raag of Kafi Thaat, meaning it uses all and only the notes of its parent Thaat. This is a special distinction. Most raags are derived from a Thaat but do not use the exact same notes. Kafi raag does.

Quick Quiz

1. Which Swars are Komal in Raag Kafi?

2. What is the Jati of Kafi?

3. What is the Vaadi and Samvaadi of Kafi?

4. What is Mishra Kafi?

5. What semi-classical forms commonly use Raag Kafi?

Listening Task

Search for "Raag Kafi thumri" on YouTube. Thumri in Kafi is one of the most recorded forms in Indian classical music. As you listen, try to identify the Komal Ga. It is the note that gives the music its soft, slightly sad quality. Once you hear it, you will always recognize it. 🎵

PEACE ! 🎻