History of Raag Kaffi
Raag Kaffi and Raag Kaffi vocals have the birthplace from its own Thaat name “Kaffi Thaat“. In the folk music of INDIA, Kaffi Ragg has its straight root. The kinds of folk music composed in the Kaffi Raag, hails from different parts of India and they are Tappa, Hori, Dadra, Kirtan and Bhajans. To most of the Ragas Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande classified into 10 Thaats. From which Kaffi Thaat is the most popular one.
A most important Raag is Thaat Raag Kaffi. As the ambience created by Raag Kaffi is most suitable for both union and separation, the composition of Hori and Thumri are sung in this beautiful Raag. Raag Bhairavi, Raag Desh and Raag Shankar are the three different scales, combinations of which forms the Kaffi Raag.
Highlights of Raag Kaffi Vocals
Ustad Bismillah Khan an Indian musician played the Raag Kaffi on his Shehnai (a reeded woodwind instrument) on 15th August 1947 from the Red fort on the on the occasion of India’s Independence day.
Being one of the oldest Raag, Raag Kaffi in Natyashastra its intervals are represented as the primary scale. Due to its connection with Goddess Durga, Raag Kaffi has its unique importance in Hindustani classical Music. It is also used to perform during Navratri Festival to seek the blessings of Goddess Durga. This Raag in Western classical music is equivalent to the modern Dorian mode. In Semi classical songs like Thumri and Hori the commonly used Raag is Kaffi Raag. Apart from this, Raag Kaffi is used as a soundtrack for workouts for its dynamics and lifting melodies.
Kaffi has got to be one the greatest artistic triumphs of mankind….a melodic pathway so sweet, poignant, emotional and sophisticated, it is virtually an inexhaustible source of mental and spiritual nourishment. – The Sarod Site
Musical Characteristics of Raag Kaffi Vocals
The dominant swara (Vadi) of this Raag is (Ga) and the codominant (Sambadi) swara is (Sa).The perfect time to sing this Raag is between 10pm to 1 am (late evening Raag), which convey the mood of springtime. In the Raag Kaffi vocals, both Aroha and Abroha all the 7 Swaras are there, so it is called as Jati Sampurna Sampurna. Being derived from Kaffi Thaat, this Raag also has Ga and Ni Komal both in Aroha and Abroha. But sometimes this permits the use of Vivadi Swaras like Sudha Ga and Sudha Ni. Re and Pa are the resting notes in Kaffi Raag. Kaffi Raag is also called as a Aashrya Raag as it is created from its own Thaat. Being a Chanchal Prakriti Raag Kaffi Raga is associated with themes of devotion, colorfulness, and spiritual contemplation. Sindhura Raag is a similar kind of Raag like Kaffi.
THAT –Kaffi (Thaat is classification of Ragas)
Wadi –Ga
Sambadi -Sa
Time–Night (2nd prahar of the evening (10pm-1am)
Nature –Chanchal
Jati -Sampurna sampurna
Pakar-SaSa ReRe GaGa MaMa Pa
Nyas-Sa Re Pa
Taal-tritaal (starts from 4th bit)
Aaroh– Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Da Ni Ṡa
Abroha –Ṡa Ni Da Pa Ma Ga Re Sa
ALAP– SaSa ReRe GaGa MaMaGa PaMaGaReSa SaNiSa Re
GaRe GaMaPa
Bandish-1(Based on Ek Taal -Dhrut Ek Taal)
Stahi
Kadara piya naiya mori kaise lagi para
Kadara piya naiya mori kaise lagi para
Tu Khewata anadihu thadi majhe dhaar (2)
Antra
Na Mori naaya na rekhi baaya
Na Mori naaya na rekhi baaya
Aana padi mana dhara(2)
Stahi Notation
Antra Notation
TAAN
TEHAI
Kadara piya naiya mo(3 times)
ri kaise lagi para
Bandish-2 (Based on Teen Taal)
Stahi
Aaj Khele Shyam rang Hori re
Pichkari rang bhari keshar ki
Antra
Aaj kuwnar kanheya sang sakhi Radha
Rang bhari jori sohat ri
Stahi Notation
Antra Notation
16 Matra Allaap
TAAN
TEHAI
Khele Shyam rang (3 times)
Hori re
Did You Know?
In Western Classical Music, Kaffi corresponds to the modern Dorian Mode.
Composition to practice in Raag Kaffi
-Hamari sasoon mein (Film:Mere Huzoor)
-Pyar bhare do sharmeele (Film:Chaahat)
-Bairan neend na aaye (Film:Chacha Zindabad)
-Ye raat ye chandni (Film:Jaal)
-Holi khelat nandlal (Film:Godan)
-Gairon pe karam apno pe shitam (Film:Ankhen)
-Aplam chaplam chaplayi re Duniya ko chhod teri gali (Film:Azaad)
-Thhaade rahiyo o baanke yaar re (Film:Pakheezah)
-Ek ladki ko dekha to aisa laga (Film:1942 A Love Story)
-Kali ghodi dwar khadi khadi re (Film:Chashme Buddoor)
-Matt maro shyam pichkari (Film:Durgesh Nadini)
Naina kaheko lagaye (Film:Joru Ka Bhai)
Read about the history of Bageshri, as Bageshri, Kaffi and Bhimpalasi Raag are together called as Samaprakritik Raags
FAQs
1. What are the characteristics of Raag Kaffi?
Kaffi Raag has Ga and Ni komal as it is derived from its own Thatt. Also it is a chanchal Prakruti Raag which is sang in the late evening.
2. How can I learn to sing or play Raag Kaffi?
By practicing the scale and notes with singing and playing the Raag one can learn Kaffi Raag with dedication and practice.
3. What are some famous compositions in Raag Kaffi?
Aaj khelo shaam sang hori. And Chado chado chaila mori baiya are some of the famous composition in Kaffi Raag.
4. What are the different pakads (variations) of Raag Kaffi?
Sa Re Ga MA Pa Da Ni
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Ma Pa Da (Ma) Ga
