THIS IS A RARE AND USED ITEM. IT IS NOT MANUFACTURED
ANYMORE. NO RETURNS WILL BE ACCEPTED

The Thumr, known for its sensuous romanticism, has been
aptly described as the expression of the singer’s soul. Unlike in Khayal, the
expressive aspect of the song is basic to its delineation. The charm of Thumri
thus lies in the singer’s skill in portraying its lyrical subtleties with a
subtle musical imagination. To facilitate full expression to the poetic mood
enshrined in the chosen theme, the artiste is allowed freedom to resort to a
variety of voice modulations and appealing articulations in presentation.

 The Thumri was once the exclusive preserve of female
singers, as it lent itself naturally to their temperament and the feminine
voice. Though the contemporary Thumri came into vogue, in Uttar Pradesh,
towards the close of the 18^th century, its genesis and close
association with dance can be traced to ancient times.

 The traditional Thumri compositions are all woven in
Poorbi and Brij Bhasha, the two dialects of Uttar Pradesh, and are always sung
in the traditional style. So tremendous was the impact of this music on the
North Indian styles that several classical maestros of different “gharanas”
made this art-form a part of their performing repertoire. The names of Abdul
Karim Khan and Bade Ghulam Ali Khan pioneers, respectively, of the Kirana and
Patiala gharanas, immediately come to mind in this context.

 On this LP you’ll hear Bhimsen Joshi and Prabha Atre
mold their Thumris in the clear Abdul Karim Khan manner; while Barkat Ali is an
interpreter par excellence of the style pioneered by Bade Ghulam Ali Khan.

 Barkat Ali Khan can even be said to have given a new
elan to Thumri singing by his own individualistic touch to the Patiala accent.
The Punjab-ang Thumris by the duo, Nazakat Ali Khan and Salamat Ali Khan have
excitement of their own.

 Although Girija Devi is the present-day reigning queen
of the blue-blooded Benaras “Thumri”, the happy mingling of lineaments of
Punjab and Lucknow styles in Begum Akhtar’s depictions bring home the greatness
of one of the India’s great singers.

 The Collage of eight “Thumris” heard in this disc,
provide charming facets of the great tradition of light classical music from
Uttar Pradesh. This album is bound to become a “Collector’s Item”.

 Artists:

Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, Ustad Barkat Ali Khan, Girija Devi,
Ustad Nazakat Ali Khan, Ustad Salamat Ali Khan, Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan,
Begum Akhtar, Prabha Atre 

Tracks:

SIDE ONE

 Piya Ke Milan Ki Aas        
    Ustad Abdul Karim Khan

Tum Radhe Bano Shyam      Ustad Barkat Ali
Khan

Nahak Laye Gawanwa          Girija
Devi

Lage Tose Nain            
        Ustad Nazakat Ali Khan, Ustad Salamat Ali Khan

SIDE TWO

 Kate Na Biraha Ki Raat        
Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan

Jab Se Shyam Sidhare          Begum
Akhtar

Kaun Albeli Naar           
        Pandit Bhimsen Joshi

Kau Gali Gayo Shyam          
Prabha Atre