Question

The renowned classical singer Girija Devi was an exponent of which form of Hindustani Classical music?
1. Tarana
2. Thumri
3. Khayal
4. Dhrupad

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : Thumri

The correct answer is Thumri.

• The renowned classical singer Girija Devi was an exponent of Thumri Classical music.

• Girija Devi was a Banaras gharana singer.
• There are 10 main forms of styles of singing and compositions: Dhrupad, Dhamar, Hori, Khayal, Tappa, Chaturanga, Ragasagar, Tarana, Sargam and Thumri. Nowadays, Ghazals have become very popular as the ‘light classical’ form of music.

• Thumri:
  • Thumri originated in the Eastern part of Uttar Pradesh, mainly in Lucknow and Banaras, around the 18th century AD.
  • It is believed to have been influenced by hori, kajri, and Dadra.
  • Thumri is supposed to be a romantic and erotic style of singing and is also called ‘the lyric of Indian classical music’.
  • The song compositions are mostly of love, separation, and devotion.
  • Its most distinctive feature is the erotic subject matter picturesquely portraying the various episodes from the lives of Lord Krishna and Radha.
  • Thumri is usually performed as the last item of a Khayal concert.
  • There are three main gharanas of thumri–Benares, Lucknow, and Patiala.

• Tarana is a style consisting of peculiar syllables woven into rhythmical patterns as a song. 
• Khayal literally means ‘a stray thought’, ‘a lyric’, and ‘an imagination.
  • This is the most prominent genre of Hindustani vocal music depicting a romantic style of singing.
• Dhrupad is essentially a poetic form incorporated into an extended presentation style marked by a precise and orderly elaboration of a raga.