Raga Kafi - Thumri

Kesarbai Kerkar performed Raga Kafi – Thumri as the second track on the 20th Century Baithak Series. The recording spans 25 minutes and 15 seconds. Sangeet Kendra released the work on compact disc. The release date remains undocumented in available sources.

The composition exemplifies the thumri genre within the Kafi raga framework. Kerkar’s rendition reflects the semi-classical tradition of North Indian vocal music, characterized by expressive phrasing and rhythmic flexibility. The Baithak Series compilation curates archival performances from the 20th century, though specific session details for this track are not publicly verified.

Kesarbai Kerkar (1892–1977) belonged to the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana and gained recognition for her command over khayal, thumri, and dadra. Her interpretations often incorporated intricate taan patterns and emotive bol-banao techniques. The 20th Century Baithak Series preserves her legacy alongside other stalwarts of Hindustani classical music.

The label Sangeet Kendra specializes in historical recordings of Indian classical traditions. The CD format release includes liner notes or accompanying documentation, though the extent of supplementary material for this track is unconfirmed. No alternate versions or live renditions of this specific performance are cataloged under the same series.