Importance of Pandit Lalanpiya’s Thumris of Unconventional Themes in Kathak Repertoire

Abstract

Indian classical music has formed the basis of performances in classical dance forms. In Kathak dance style mainly for Abhinaya anga, the Hindustani classical music played a important role. The various musical forms such as bhajan. Khyal, Dadara Thumari etc. are used for the expressional part of Kathak. Since few centuries thumari is has acquired immense importance for kathak. In the period of Vajidali Shah, thumari came in fore front and the original musical form got associated with Kathak. Since then, the evolution of Thumari led to two main varieties viz Bol Banav thumari and Bol Bant thumari. Among the composers of Bol Bant Thumri, Pandit Lalanpiya’s name is respected as the best Thumri composer and singer.  During study of his compositions, it is noticed that he has composed many thumaris on unconventional subjects, but they are unknown to the Kathak world.  In Kathak, thumris on the themes of Radha Krishna, Gop Gopika, Nayikabheda are more prevalent. Therefore, the question arises whether these Thumris on these unconventional subjects will enrich the Kathak world.  The purpose of this research is to provide a variety of themes for performance by Kathak dancers. The hypothesis is that the thumaris written by Pandit Lalanpiya based on unconventional topics would enrich the kathak performance. The methodology used is qualitative analysis of and during the process classification of his creations is done and kathak dancers and experts are interviewed. The subjects like Bhakta Prahlad is consoling his mother to give him poison and not to blame his father, Rukmini’s questions to her mother as to why she is forcing her for the marriage or Krishna complaining his mother that in this winter season you are sending me early morning to feed the cattle but not even given new blanket etc. are the few examples of his thumaris. The research led to the conclusion that in present scenario also, Pandit Lalanpiya’s 100 years old collection of unconventional themes will provide kathak dancers with a rich repertoire of expressions and Abhinay. Thumri has two types. The essence of thumri lies in its lyrics. Based on these lyrics, these two types were created.