Thumri- A festival of classical music

Delhi gears up to host the highly anticipated Thumri Festival, a musical extravaganza promising to enthrall audiences with a vibrant tapestry of classical and folk melodies. Scheduled to take place from December 26 to December 28 at the Kamani Auditorium in Mandi House, the annual event is poised to captivate music enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.

Organised by the Sahitya Kala Parishad which is part of Delhi government’s Art, Culture and Language Department, the festival aims to celebrate India’s rich musical heritage, specifically spotlighting the enchanting genre of Thumri. Known for its ability to weave tales of love, devotion, and a myriad of emotions, Thumri is revered for its fusion of classical and folk influences.

The festival’s lineup boasts an impressive array of both established maestros and emerging talents from the realm of Thumri. The inaugural day promises captivating performances by Padmabhushan awardee Padmaja Chakravarthy, Padma Shri recipient Soma Ghosh, and the melodious renditions of Vidushi Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, representing the esteemed Jaipur-Atrauli gharana.

Continuing the musical journey, the festival’s second day features the legacy of Pandit Vishwanath and the profound expressions of Vidushi Shruti Sadolikar-Katkar. The dynamic duo of Pandit Saajan Mishra and Swaransh Mishra is set to bridge generational gaps through their mastery of the Banaras tradition.

Culminating in a crescendo of musical brilliance, the third day of the festival showcases the vibrant vocals of Sushri Pooja Goswami and the distinctive style of Sushri Sucheta Ganguly. The festival culminates in a grand finale led by the legendary Pandit Ajay Pohankar, showcasing the Kirana gharana’s brilliance in a musical journey spanning six decades alongside Abhijit Pohankar.

Talking about the festival, Saurabh Bhardwaj, Minister of Art, Culture and Language, Delhi, said, The “Thumri Festival is an enthralling celebration of our rich cultural heritage. We invite all culture lovers to join us in preserving and promoting our traditional arts”.

When: 6:00 Pm onwards; December 26- December 28

Where: Kamani Auditorium Mandi House