सदियों पुराने लोक संगीत 'कजरी'

सदियों पुराने लोक संगीत 'कजरी' 


 One of the most popular and well known forms of folk music - Kajris are often sung by classical and semi classical musicians. 

The word Kajri is possibly a derivative of Kajal - meaning Kohl or Black. In a country of sizzling hot summers - the black monsoon clouds bring with them relief and great joy - with a need to sing out loud. This is the moment for the Kajri to be sung. 



Even though Kajri is sung in a large region - Mirzapur is considered the real home of the Kajri.

According to a folk tale of Mirzapur - there was woman called Kajli whose husband was in a distant land. Monsoon arrived and the separation became unbearable....she started crying at the feet of the Kajmal Goddess.

These cries took the form of the popular Kajri songs. There are two forms of Kajri singing in UP - one within which it is sung on a performance platform and the other when it is sung by women on monsoon evenings, while dancing in a semi-circle- this is known as the 'Dhunmuniya Kajri'.

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