According to Bhatkhande, its name first appears in the Raga Tarangini of Lochana Pandit, who lived in the Mithila district around the 15th century CE.

Folk music in Tappa, Hori, Dadra, Kirtan and Bhajans from different parts of India have been composed in this raga.

Kafi is a sampoorna-sampoorna or heptatonic raga, with komal (half a note down) Gandhar (ga) and Nishad (ni).

The atmosphere created is most suitable for both types of Shringar (Separation & Union) and hence many Thumri & Hori compositions are sung in this Raag.

(Traditional Ghazal) (reused from Pachchai Nirame) (Starts with Carnatic Song in Raga Desh) (Mix of Kafi and Bhimpalas) Note that the following songs are composed in Kharaharapriya, the equivalent of raga Kafi in Carnatic music.