Kostas Papadakis, also known as Naftis –literally means sailor – was born in 1920 at the village Kasteli Kissamos, Hania. He started playing the violin – in particular an Italian violin dated from 1710 - when he was 7 years old. His first public performance was when he was ten playing at a wedding reception. From 1959 to 1976 he lived in the United States and in 1981 he moved to Australia where he stayed for another five years.

He did a number of performances in different countries where he was invited by Cretan immigrants. Naftis first recorded an album in 1938 and then after the war (1950-54). He also recorded while he was in the US.

Throughout his career, Naftis has participated in several recordings that included his own compositions. He also published a book in 1989 titled “The Cretan Lyre, a myth”. Nowadays, Naftis lives in the town of Hania where he continues making his art and at the same time is a member of the Musicians Club “O Harhalis”.