Raga Kafi: Aroha, Avaroha, Time and Practice Tips
A student's guide to Raga Kafi of the Kafi thaat, from the teachers at Surmandal, Kolkata.
About Raga Kafi
Kafi is a gentle, flexible raga with a light and affectionate mood. It uses komal Ga and komal Ni, with Pa as the main note. It is very popular in thumri, dadra and songs of Holi, and so it is a good bridge between classical and semi-classical singing. It gives its name to the Kafi thaat.
Aroha and avaroha
Aroha (ascent)
Avaroha (descent)
Notation: (k) = komal (flat), (t) = tivra Ma (sharp), an apostrophe after a note (Sa') = upper octave.
Raga Kafi at a glance
| Thaat | Kafi |
|---|---|
| Jati | Sampurna-Sampurna (all seven notes) |
| Vadi / Samvadi | Pa / Sa |
| Swaras | Komal Ga and komal Ni, all others shuddha |
| Time of singing | Late evening to night |
| Mood | Light, affectionate and playful |
| Typical phrases (pakad) | Sa Re Ga(k) Ma Pa; Ni(k) Dha Pa; Ma Ga(k) Re Sa |
Timings are traditional guidelines and singers vary. Phrases are typical examples. Your teacher will show the exact form they teach.
Practice tips
- Keep Ga and Ni komal every time and sing them cleanly, without sliding into shuddha.
- Use Pa as your resting note. Return to it often while building phrases.
- Practise a light, relaxed delivery, since Kafi should sound easy and sweet and not heavy.
- After the aroha and avaroha, try a short thumri-style phrase to feel the semi-classical side of the raga.
Where Raga Kafi appears in syllabi
RBU B.A. (Hons) Vocal Music: the Semester 5 Thumri and Dadra ragas. Visva-Bharati B.Mus: Semester 1, the Dhrupad and Dhamar course, and a later group. Visva-Bharati M.Mus: a Thumri/Dadra group.
From the official curricula. See our university music courses guide and the Pracheen Kala Kendra exams page. Spellings follow each university.
Learn Raga Kafi with a teacher
Ragas are best learned by listening to a teacher and being corrected. Surmandal teaches Hindustani classical and semi-classical vocal one-to-one at Sonarpur, Bansdroni and online. Book a free trial class.
Raga Kafi FAQ
What is the aroha and avaroha of Raga Kafi? Aroha: Sa Re Ga(k) Ma Pa Dha Ni(k) Sa'. Avaroha: Sa' Ni(k) Dha Pa Ma Ga(k) Re Sa.
What is the best time to sing Raga Kafi? Late evening to night. These timings are traditional guidelines.
What are the vadi and samvadi of Raga Kafi? Vadi: Pa. Samvadi: Sa.
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