Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
MoreBack to News Headlines
How Zohra Bai became the unravelled queen of thumri

How Zohra Bai became the unravelled queen of thumri

The Hindu
Tuesday, November 15, 2022 2:39 PM GMT

Zohra Bai was not just a singer with an exceptional voice but also a composer of Urdu poetry

In a ruined tomb within the precincts of Rauza Masjid at Maharaj Ganj in Patna rests the queen of thumri, Zohra Bai. Born in Azeemabad (Patna) in the mid 1860s or 1870s, Zohra arrived with her mother in the court of Maharaja Sir Lakshmeshwar Singh of Darbhanga in 1885, when she was still a young girl.

A patron of Hindustani music, Sir Lakshmeshwar Singh had turned Darbhanga into a hub of music after the revolt of 1857. Learning from the masters in the maharaja’s court, Zohra excelled in singing, and soon became the unrivalled queen of thumri. Often called Ragini Devi for her majestic voice, she came to be known as Tawaef Zohra Bai Patnewali after settling down in Patna. Tawaef Zohra Bai Patnewali.

At a time when Bi Zamurrad, Mohammadi Jan, Allah Jilai Bai and Jaddan Bai (mother of Bollywood actor Nargis Dutt) were counted among the rising stars, Zohra distinguished herself with her ragged style of singing. She also wrote Urdu poetry and was a disciple of the Sufi mystic and poet, Shah Akbar Danapuri.

Zohra used to compose her own ghazals and perform them at the mehfils in her mansion in Patna. Most of her poetry has fallen through the cracks but a few couplets find mention in Haqeeqat Bhi Kahaani Bhi, the autobiography of Syed Badruddin Ahmad, a poet and writer associated with the Bihar Muslim League. Published by Bihar Urdu Academy in 1988, his memoir serves as an important guide to piece Patna in the late 19th and 20th century. Two of Zohra’s couplets go:

pee ke ham tum jo chale jhoomte maykhaane se jhuk ke kuch baat kahi sheeshe ne paymaane se (Drunk, as we walked out of the alehouse,/ The decanter bowed and said something to the glass of wine.)

hamne dekhi hain kisi shokh ki maygun aankhein milti julti hain chlatkte hue paymaane se (We have seen the mischievous wine-coloured eyes./ They are the same as an overflowing glass of wine.)

A devotee of Imam Hussain, she wrote several elegies (nauhe) for him, of which only a couplet remains:

Read full story on The Hindu
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Goren bridge: Dropping the ball

Goren Bridge by Bob Jones

Jury convicts Harvey Weinstein of top charge in the retrial of his landmark #MeToo sex crimes case

Harvey Weinstein's retrial results in partial conviction, acquittal, and mistrial request amid jury tensions and #MeToo movement impact.

Artistic Folklore: A global Instagram hub that helps people connect, learn and create folk art

Discover Artistic Folklore, an online community that revives traditional arts and crafts across borders

The Carnatic progessive rock band AGAM talks about their new album, ‘Arrival of the Ethereal’

AGAM, the Carnatic progressive rock band, is ready with their third studio album, Arrival of the Ethereal, which has been mounted on an international scale

A Kuchipudi recital explores Krishna’s persona

D. Dileep and Rasika Rajagopalan ‘s Kuchipudi recital at Chennai’s R.R. Sabha was marked with precision and synchronisation

‘The Last of Us’ Season 3 confirmed With Kaitlyn Dever in lead role

HBO's The Last of Us Season 3 confirmed with Kaitlyn Dever as lead, promising a new direction and challenges.

California governor Gavin Newsom trolls Trump using Emperor Palpatine voice to read L.A. protests post

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office releases provocative videos mimicking Star Wars villain to criticize President Trump online.

‘Eddington’ trailer: Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal face off in Ari Aster’s COVID-era western

A political drama set in a fictional town during the COVID-19 pandemic, Eddington explores social tensions and political division.

Enrique Iglesias to perform in India after 13 years, concert to be held in Mumbai in October

Enrique Iglesias to perform in Mumbai on October 30, showcasing his iconic hits in a nostalgic concert experience.

Chinese actor Sunny Pang joins cast of ‘Lakadbaggha 2 - The Monkey Business’

Martial artist and actor Sunny Pang, who recently featured alongside Tom Hardy in action-thriller movie Havoc, is set to make his Indian film debut with Lakadbaggha 2 - The Monkey Business.

Dhanush says ‘Kuberaa’ took him back to his ‘humble, rooted beginnings’

The Tamil star is making his Telugu debut in director Sekhar Kammula’s sweeping social thriller, co-starring Nagarjuna and Rashmika Mandanna

Singer-songwriter Abdon Mech’s inspiring journey from Nagaland to Budapest

Nagaland’s Abdon Mech talks about being a part of Artisjus Songbook Camp 2025, Budapest

Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri renames new film ‘The Delhi Files’ to ‘The Bengal Files’

Filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri announces new title "The Bengal Files" starring Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, and Pallavi Joshi.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Bipasha Basu calls out body-shaming trolls: They do not define me

Actor Bipasha Basu slams body-shaming trolls, highlighting the need for society to appreciate women’s diverse roles and appearances

‘Vyasana Sametham Bandhu Mithradhikal’ review: A well-executed satire on the chaos surrounding a funeral

‘Vyasana Sametham Bandhu Mithradhikal’ is a dark comedy exploring death and societal norms, with a hilarious take on funeral chaos.

‘Ballerina’ movie review: Ana de Armas is spectacular in a middling ‘John Wick’ spin-off

‘Ballerina’ movie review: An excellent Ana de Armas gets a well-written protagonist who packs a punch and refuses to be under the shadow of Keanu Reeves’ John Wick, but this spin-off film needed more ambition

Discretion is the best part of valour, Karnataka High Court reminds makers of Thug Life film

High Court of Karnataka orders RKFI to file objections against KSP and advocate applications in Thug Life petition.

Salil Chowdhury’s music was high on melody and reflected his socio-political ideologies too

2025 marks the centenary celebrations of composer-writer-poet Salil Chowdhury

Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson dies at 82: Tributes pour in from music icons

Brian Wilson, Beach Boys co-founder and music legend, dies at 82, leaving behind a lasting impact on American pop culture.

Air India Ahmedabad-London plane crash: Film personalities Akshay Kumar, Vijay, Allu Arjun react to tragedy

Indian film fraternity mourns tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad, expressing condolences and prayers for victims and families

Water tank bursts on the sets of Ram Charan’s production ‘The India House’, crew members suffer injury

A water tank burst during shoot of upcoming movie ‘The India House’ — starring Nikhil Siddhartha and produced by Ram Charan — causing injuries and damage on set

It’s official: Jr NTR, not Allu Arjun, to star in Trivikram’s film

Producer Naga Vamsi has confirmed that Jr NTR will star in Trivikram Srinivas’ upcoming movie, touted to be a mythological film

‘DNA’ trailer: Atharvaa, Nimisha Sajayan promise an intense crime thriller

The trailer of the upcoming Tamil thriller, DNA, starring Atharvaa and Nimisha Sajayan, was released by the makers on Wednesday

Apple unveils world’s first haptic movie trailer for Joseph Kosinski’s ‘F1’

Apple introduces groundbreaking haptic-enabled movie trailer for F1, offering tactile experience on iPhones via Apple TV app.

Aamir Khan on ‘Coolie’ cameo: ‘Huge fan of Rajinikanth sir, accepted role without hearing script’

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, while promoting his upcoming film Sitaare Zameen Par, opened up on his cameo appearance in Coolie, superstar Rajinikanth’s upcoming film with director Lokesh Kanagaraj

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us