Raganga: Kafi

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Ragas which draw significantly from the Kafi raganga, exemplified by the titular Raag Kafi (SRgmPDnS). Typically, this entails an association with the evening or early night hours – as well as signature phrases such as mPD and mP(m)gR, alongside the general prominence of komal ga and komal ni and the use of Pa and shuddha Re as nyas – with many Kafi ragas also employing additional ‘mishra‘ swaras. Also see Kafi thaat (a purely ‘scalar’ classification).
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Raganga: Bhairav | Bihag | Bilawal |
Dhanashree | Kafi | Kalyan | Kanada |
Khamaj | Lalit | Malhar | Sarang | Todi
(Kauns: see my survey of 60+ Kaunsis)
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“For centuries, the saptak defined by the swaras of Kafi – not Bilawal – was considered the ‘shuddha‘ scale in the Hindustani tradition. Its precursor, the Shadja-Grama, is referenced in early treatises…and Bhatkhande observes that the name first appears in the Raga Tarangini of Locana Kavi, a 15th-century scholar from the Mithila region…” (Parrikar)
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• All Tags & Classifiers •

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[Below – all tag results:]
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• Charju ki Malhar •

S-R-g-m-P-D-nN-S A diffuse branch of the Malhar lineage which exists in several modern forms. Pandit Jasraj, probably the raga’s most prominent interpreter, sings it as a Miyan ki Malhar variant with Desi-ang traits, including a distinctive treatment of shuddha Dha, which is emphasised in phrases such as mPDNS – echoed in Hemala Khare-Ranade’s recital preface (“Charju […]

 

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• Raag Gaudgiri Malhar •

S-R-g-m-P-n-S An engrossing raga of uncertain origin, Gaudgiri Malhar is most prominently associated with Mewati pioneer Pandit Jasraj – although Gwalior stalwart Haribhau Ghangrekar and others were performing it even before this. Also sung by Jasraj’s brother Pratap Narayan and disciple Hemang Mehta, as well as Kirana vocalist Moumita Mitra – who describes it as a […]

 

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• Raag Barwa •

S-R-g-m-P-D-nN-S An Agra gharana speciality, Barwa blends ideas from Kafi (mP, mgR; mPDNS), Sindhura (SRmP; Pg), Desi (RPRg), and Miyan ki Malhar (nDNS). The komal ga tends to be omitted in aroha, and ma is rendered deergha, while the Malharic Re–Pa pair is often given as the vadi-samvadi. Traditionally associated with the late morning hours, […]