A wholesome rendition by Rajendra Sijuar

Rajendra Sijuar conveyed the nuances of the Banarasi ang at the Thumri-Kajri Utsav

Apart from providing respite from heat, monsoon ushers in a celebratory mood, best expressed through music. Many Hindustani music festivals, such as the Malhar Festival and those that focus on thumri, dadra and chaiti, are timed during this season. And there are raags sung especially during monsoon. Thumri, the most popular genre of Hindustani music, is a fine blend of the classical and folk. Under it, seasonal folk genres like Kajri, Chaiti, Hori etc have also developed, of which Kajri is the soul of the rains. With its leisurely and abstract techniques like the ‘Bol-Banaav’, which conveys the meaning of the text musically, thumri is instantly appealing to listeners who are not steeped in the classical tradition. It’s no wonder, therefore, that the annual Thumri-Kajri Utsav organised by Kala Prakash in Varanasi is remarkably popular among music lovers. This year too, the organisation’s founder-chairman, Ashok Kapoor, decided to hold the festival virtually. The festival showcased Rajendra Sijuar, a disciple of Pt. Rajan-Sajan Mishra, streamed live from Gaya, a city famous for its thumri tradition, like the Purab ang and Punjab ang thumris. One expected the Gaya flavour in Rajendra’s concert, but being groomed under the Mishra Bandhus, he presented Banarasi thumris and kajris.