Origin and Elements of the Kajari Folk Song Genre
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Title: Origin and Elements of the Kajari
Folk Song Genre
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Description: Learn about the Kajari, a folk
song genre from Mirzapur sung in Bhojpuri that expresses a woman's desire to
reunite with her absent lover. Explore its origins, elements, and its presence
in Bollywood songs.
Introduction
If you are interested in exploring a fascinating folk
song form, you might want to learn more about the Kajari (also written
as Kajri). This song genre carries a mystic allure due to
its somewhat amorphous definition and classification. Although there are
specific traditional requirements, songs are often referred to as Kajari even
if only a few are met. In this article, I will explain the elements and origins
of Kajari in a simple manner for readers who may not possess in-depth knowledge
of Indian music.
Origins of Kajari
The term "Kajari" is derived from the
Bhojpuri word "kajara," which translates to "kaajal" in
Hindi and "kohl" in English. The genre originated in the Mirzapur
district of Uttar Pradesh and has since spread to other regions. The first
Kajari song is said to have been born from the poignant love story of a woman
named Kajari, who lived in Mirzapur while her husband was working elsewhere. As
the monsoon clouds arrived, her longing for her absent lover turned into a plaintive
song—marking the beginning of the Kajari genre.
Today,
Kajari is popular in regions such as Varanasi, Mirzapur, Mathura, and Prayagraj
(formerly Allahabad), as well as the Bhojpuri areas of Bihar. The most popular
Kajari songs, often risqué in nature, are sung in Bhojpuri. However, you can
also find them in Awadhi and Maithili, while Bollywood Kajari songs are
typically in contemporary Hindustani.
Elements of Kajari
The Kajari genre
revolves around a woman's longing for intimacy with an absent lover. This may be
a husband working far away or a paramour who has left her behind. The genre
also includes references to "kohl" either through the dark monsoon
clouds resembling its colour or as the actual kohl in the woman's eyes.
While
Kajari songs in Bollywood often feature a woman expressing her longing in
solitude, traditional folk Kajari songs commonly involve women sharing their
sorrows with others or openly expressing their unrequited desire.
Common Elements of Kajari:
- Saawan: The month of Saawan is associated with the
monsoon season and often represents a time of heightened yearning for the
absent lover in Kajari songs.
- Kohl: Kajari songs frequently describe the kohl
in the eyes of a woman washed away by tears, adding depth and beauty to
the lyrics.
- Jhoola: Women often gather around swings (jhoola)
to express their individual or collective pain of being separated from
their partners.
- Radha
and Krishna: Radha
and Krishna, the divine and eternal lovers, are central figures in some
Kajari compositions.
Conclusion
The Kajari is a folk
song genre typically not sung in classical style. Its slow, melodious rhythm
and deep pathos in the lyrics contribute to its growing popularity on social
media platforms and its status as a significant part of the cultural heritage
of the Hindi heartland.
Stay
tuned for my upcoming posts in Bollywood Translations, one featuring a Kajari
from a Hindi film and one on a Kajari that has attained iconic status in Indian
music.
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