raagawheel

Janya of mela 22Kharaharapriya

Kapi

also known as Kaapi

SSR2R2M1M1PPN3N3SS (upper octave)

SS (upper octave)N2N2D2D2N2N2PPM1M1G2G2R2R2SS

Characteristic phrases

N2N2D2D2N2N2PP

The vakra nishada turn that stamps the descent.

How to know it

Audava–Sampurna (vakra avaroha) · Bhashanga

Tender and wistful; the play between the two nishadas makes it a favourite for padams, javalis and lullaby-like film melodies; its rasa is karuna, sringara, bhakti.

Anya (foreign) swaras:N3N3G3G3Kakali nishada (N3) sits in the aroha itself; antara gandhara (G3) — and occasionally suddha dhaivata — surface only in prayogas, giving Kapi its shifting, bittersweet colour.

Family

Parent · Mela 22Kharaharapriya

Hear it in songs

  • Jagadoddharana

    Purandara Dasa

    In this devarnama the anya suddha dhaivata (D1) also appears as a foreign note in some renditions.

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  • Enna Thavam Seithanai

    Papanasam Sivan · Adi

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  • Mee Valla Guna Dosha

    Thyagaraja

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In film music

  • Kanne Kalaimane

    Moondram Pirai · 1982

    Kannadasan's last recorded lyric; usually attributed to Kapi, though some analyses hear Reetigowla shades.

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