THUMRI MUSIC & PANDIT CHHANNULAL MISHRA

Current Context : India lost a legendary classical musician with the demise of Pandit Chhannulal Mishra (1936–2025), Padma Vibhushan awardee and one of the last great exponents of the Purab Ang of Banaras Gharana in Thumri music.

ABOUT THUMRI MUSIC

• Form – Semi-classical vocal form of Hindustani music, called the lyric of Indian classical music.
• Origin – Eastern Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow & Banaras) in the 18th century CE.
• Themes – Love, devotion, Radha-Krishna stories.
• Languages – Braj Bhasha, Awadhi, Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit.
• Distinct Feature – Emphasis on bhava (emotion) and improvisation.
• Associated Dance Form – Kathak.
• Types – Purbi Thumri (Banaras Gharana, slow, emotional) & Punjabi Thumri (Patiala Gharana, fast, lively).
• Major Exponents – Girija Devi, Begum Akhtar, Rasoolan Bai, Siddheshwari Devi, Chhannulal Mishra.