Published Paper Details:

Thumri, North India's emotive semi-classical vocal form, has undergone remarkable evolution while preserving its core of spontaneous expression. Emerging from 18th century court traditions, it developed through distinct phases - from dance-oriented Bandish-ki-Thumri to the more lyrical Bol-Banao-ki-Thumri, each reflecting changing cultural contexts. The genre flourished through three primary regional styles: the devotional Purab ang of Banaras, the Kathak-influenced Lucknow style, and the vibrant Punjabi ang blending Tappa's vitality. Legendary artists like Siddheshwari Devi, Begum Akhtar and Bade Ghulam Ali Khan shaped its journey from courtesan art to concert stage. Today, while maintaining its improvisational soul, Thumri continues to transform - modern artists reinterpret its possibilities while folk-rooted variations like Kajri and Chaiti keep regional flavours alive. This living tradition exemplifies how Indian classical music balances preservation with innovation, its various forms serving as musical milestones in an ongoing journey of artistic reinvention.