The joy of thumri

Everyone is familiar with the song ‘Hamein tumse pyaar kitna…’ sung by Kishore Kumar in ‘Kudrat’ (1981), but few have heard the same song sung by Praveen Sultana in the same movie. This song is a wonderful example of ‘thumri’ style of singing.

‘Thumri’ is one of the genres of semi-classical Indian music. It is a combination of characteristics of classical and light music styles and has an identity of its own. It began in the royal courts of the nawabs of Lucknow in the 19th century and continues to resonate the world over. An example of thumari adapted to modern listeners is the theme song of ‘1920’ (2010), ‘vada tumse hai vada…’ that has touched the cords of many hearts. It is in classical form blended with a modern form.

Thumri lyrics, like ‘khayal’ and ‘dhrupad’ are taken from anecdotes and ‘leelas’ (episodes) connected with Krishna and Rama. The content is basically rooted in a rural ambience. The theme of thumri is generally love with its various manifestations like joy, satisfaction of meeting the beloved, complaint, doubt, jealousy, and anger at disloyalty, melancholy with the pangs of separation, optimistic with the hope of meeting him again and many many more.

‘Thumris’ are always based on ragas – specifically khamaj, desh, piloo, kaafi, jogiya, maand, pahadi, gara and shivranjani bhairavi. It is because the notes of these ragas and the emotions they arouse are suitable to express the mood of thumri.

Earlier, ‘thumris’ were mostly sung as accompaniments to Kathak dancing which presented the mood of the song visually. But the dance part is going out of fashion and the ‘bhavs’ (feelings) are expressed only vocally. Girija Devi and Shubha Mudgal are some of few singers who render ‘thumri’ with expertise and succeed in bringing out the latest and hidden emotions embedded in the lyrics.