Kajari

Kajari (Hindi: कजरी), derived from the Hindi word "Kajra", or Kohl, is a genre of Hindustani classical music singing, popular in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar [ [http://www.bharatonline.com/uttar-pradesh/culture/music/kajari.html Culture of Uttar Pradesh] ] . It is often used to describe the longing of a maiden for her lover as the black monsoon cloud come hanging in the summer skies, and the style is notably sung during the rainy season. [ [http://www.beatofindia.com/forms/kajri.htm Kajri] www.beatofindia.com.] .

It comes in the series of season songs, like Chaiti, Hori and Sawani, and is traditionally sung in the the villages and towns of Uttar Pradesh: around Banaras, Mirzapur, Mathura, Allahabad and the Bhojpur regions of Bihar.

Noted exponents of Kajari are,Pandit Channulal Mishra, Shobha Gurtu, Siddheshwari Devi, Girija Devi, Rajan & Sajan Mishra.

tyles of Kajari

* "Mirzapuri Kajari" - Style from Mirzapur. A "Kajari Mahotsav", is organized each year in city of Mirzapur.
* "Dhunmuniya Kajari" - Sung by women dancing in a semi-circle [ [http://songsoftheindianmonsoon.calabashmusic.com/ "Kajri" Songs of the Indian monsoon] ]

References