THUMRI- ITS EVOLUTION AND OTHER INFLUENCES

THUMRI- ITS EVOLUTION AND AN INTROSPECTIVE STUDY


Kasur-Patiala gharana,the gharana of late Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khansahib has been a pioneer in various fields of Hindusthani music,but popularizing the Thumri style is perhaps one of the main contributions .

Though ,the style evolved in Uttar Pradesh,in seats of Purab culture such as Lucknow and Banaras,Punjab took a fancy to the style due its effervescence and agility.

Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khansahib and Ustad Barkat Ali Khansahib were instrumental in popularizing the genre in a region where this style was introduced much later then its eastern counterparts of the sub-continent.

Ustad Munawar Ali Khan, the son and successor of Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khansahib nurtured the Thumri in his own inimitable way and taught his disciples to follow suit.Kumar Mukherjee,the last disciple of Ustadji has imbibed the style of his Guru and teaches students of who are seriously inclined .

RaagReet, organizes concerts and workshops on a regular basis and this year they had gone for a seven days residential practice workshop at Garchumuk,Howrah.The students stayed and practiced for seven days and came back musically enriched . The Thumri workshop,which RaagReet plans to organize this year for two days,will accentuate the rigorous training and practice sessions that the students underwent at Garchumuk.

Thumri,as a style has variants too;such as the Purab Ang and the so called Punjab Ang.Both these styles are unique in their own manner and Kumar Mukherjee will adeptly bring forth the specialities of both styles aqnd the influences that have shaped these two variants. North India,stretching from Bihar to Rajasthan ,and parts of Kashmir,Punjab and even Sindh (Pakistan) , has influenced Thumri and related genres such as Dadra,Chaiti,Jhoola,Mahiya,Kafi,Kajri will all be looked into and the students who will participate will go home enriched. Local dialects and folk music will also be touched upon giving the Thumri Workshop an all encompassing capability.

The accompanists ,will include Harmonium and Tabla.One session we can have a Tabla player from Lucknow Gharana,who will explain the Laggi playing style of Lucknow and students will learn how to sing along with a Laggi portion .Similarly Farukkabad and Banaras Gharana will also be touched upon.

Thumri ,in all its myriad colours and vivacity will be presented to the students and the discerning viewers of Tara Muzik.