Delhi's Thumri Festival: A harmony of tradition and celebration

The Sahitya Kala Parishad, Department of Art, Culture, and Language, Delhi Government, hosted the three-day annual Thumri Festival in December recently at the Kamani Auditorium. This three-day musical extravaganza showcased the finest performers in the Thumri genre, blending creativity with tradition.

Day one kicked off with Smt Padmaja Chakraborty's ethereal notes, featuring enchanting renditions like 'Pardesi Balam, Preet Kiye Chala Jaaye' in Raga Mishra, Kafi-Pilu, and Jat Taal. Dr Soma Ghosh, a Padma Shri recipient, followed with soulful performances, including Mishra Pilu Thumri and Kajri Geet. The first day concluded with the captivating voice of Vidushi Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, representing the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana. She presented Bandish in Raag Des, followed by Nirguniya Bhajan in Taal Dadra. As the evening continued, she sang two Dadras in Raag Chandrakauns and in Deepachandi Taal, respectively.


Day two featured Pandit Vishwanath, Vidushi Shruti Sadolikar-Katkar, and the dynamic duo of Pt Sajan Misra and Shri Swaransh Mishra, showcasing the rich heritage of Benaras Gharana. The dynamic duo of Padmabhushan Pt. Sajan Misra and Shri Swaransh Mishra brought the curtains down on day two, showcasing the rich heritage of Benaras Gharana, performing Thumris in Mishra Khamaj in Dipchandi Taal, Mishra Tilang in Jat Taal, and Bhairavi in Addha Taal.

The grand finale on day three highlighted Sushri Pooja Goswami, Sushri Sucheta Ganguly, and the legendary Pandit Ajay Pohankar, collaborating with his son, Shri Abhijit Pohankar. The father-son duo brought a unique flavor to the recital, concluding the festival with soul-stirring Thumries and Dadras.

The Thumri Festival, an annual celebration, left an enduring impression on Delhi's cultural landscape, ensuring Thumri's continuous resonance in the hearts of music lovers across generations.

Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”