Sung in a Sensual Style

Contents: 1. A Brief History of North Indian Music. 2. The Concept of Raga and Tala. 3. Improvisation.  4.Thumri’s Characteristics. 5. Commonalities, Differences between Thumri and Khayal. 6. Thumri’s Gharana-s. 7. Thumri’s Origin. 8. Thumri in Kathak. 9. Poets of Thumri-texts. 10. The Allied Forms of Thumri. 11. Ghazal Related to Thumri. 12. Ghazal’s Literary Aspect. 13. Mystical Poetry in Light Classical Music. 14. A Feminist View of Thumri and its Ilk. 15. Begum Akhtar, Girija Devi as Mentors. 16. Concert-Trips as Novel Experiences. 17. Modernity’s Effect on Tradition The Future of Light Classical Music.

North Indian light classical music encompasses Thumri, Dadra, Hori, Chaiti, Kajri, Jhoola, Sawan and Ghazal. It has a mystical dimension which enables its absorption of Sufi poetry. Deliberately condensed for the layperson, this book maps the history, philosophy and practical aspects of Hindustani light classical music.