Delhi embraces Thumri: Sahitya Kala Parishad’s festival celebrates vocal majesty

Sahitya Kala Parishad, Department of Art, Culture, and Language, Delhi Government, is showcasing its annual Thumri Festival. This three-day extravaganza, gracing the Kamani Auditorium on December 26, 27 and 28, celebrates India’s musical heritage and exquisite beauty of Thumri. Honoring Saurabh Bhardwaj, Minister of Art, Culture, and Language, as the chief guest, the festival unveils a program that bridges tradition and innovation.
Day 1 features mastery of Thumri, Dadra, and other Purav Ang styles by Padmabhushan awardee Padmaja Chakravarthy. Padma Shri recipient, Dr Soma Ghosh’s soulful renditions of Banaras-style Thumri, Tappa, and Ghazal is also part of the first day’s itinerary.
Embark on a captivating journey through the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana as Vidushi Ashwini Bhide Deshpande’s mesmerizing voice takes center stage.
Day 2 will feature the legacy of a musical family as Pandit Vishwanath, a top-grade vocalist, weaves his magic across Thumri, bhajan, and other genres. Vidushi Shruti Sadolikar-Katkar’s soul-stirring renditions, honed under legendary Gurus will showcase lineage of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana. The dynamic duo of Pandit Saajan Mishra and Swaransh Mishra will present their rich Banaras tradition with their masterful performances on second day.
Trained by renowned maestros, Sushri Pooja Goswami’s vibrant vocals will paint the stage with her unique and captivating style on Day 3. Adding a touch of her own distinct flair to the tapestry of Thumri, Sushri Sucheta Ganguly will present her performance on Day 3. Pandit Ajay Pohankar and Abhijit Pohankar will concludes the festival with a grand flourish, showcasing the Kirana gharana’s brilliance in a six-decade musical journey.
Talking about the festival, Saurabh Bhardwaj, Minister of Art, Culture and Language, Delhi, said, “Thumri Festival is an enthralling celebration of our rich cultural heritage. We invite all the culture lovers, to be a part of an event that preserves and promotes our traditional arts. Let us have a deep connection to our musical history as the melodic tones of Thumri weave a beautiful cultural enlightenment.”