It contains elements of ragas Shankara bharana and Maru, and is at least indirectly linked to the fashion of contemporary ragas such as kafi and pahari. Later, it spread to the land of Bengal through the endeavours of Nawab Wajed Ali Shah and many other musical geniuses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is the Origin of Thumri Songs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The exact origin of Thumri music is difficult to pinpoint. Music is like a river that flows through time and space. However, according to music scholars, the continuous evolution of Thumri with characteristic features suggests several probable origins of this genre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- It is believed that the dance performance of Kinnars in the royal court during the Vedic period gradually transformed and introduced this style of singing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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- The ancient ‘Chalika’ music, which was performed through dance songs and dramas, is believed by many to be the indigenous form of that Chalika. Because in that era, only the natis (dancers) or baranganas (courtesans) performed Chalika. It will be pertinent to point out that the author Nandagopal Biswas has observed, “The play ‘Malabikagnimitra<\/em>‘ by Kalidasa beautifully describes the performance of the Chalika by Malavika.” <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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- In fact, the first historical reference of Thumri is seen in the monumental work \u2018Rag Darpan\u2019 <\/em>by Gawaliyari Faqirullah Faqir Saif Khan (1665-66) wherein he mentions \u201c.. the Indian raga or naghma Barwa is similar to and occasionally referred to as thumri..\u201d (Anu Bala,2023)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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- It is said that the emotional beauty of Bhairavi was enhanced after the genius of the King of Gwalior, Mansingh Tomar, added a contrasting tone to it, which was named ‘Tomri’,which gradually became popular as Thumari due to the difference in pronunciation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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- According to Vaishnavism, the ancient Thumaris written in Braj Bhasha are actually a form of Bhajan or Kirtan, which were later propagated in Varanasi. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
As commented by the researcher Peter L Manuel, <\/em>
\u201cIts erotic (sringar ras) character, its flexible rather than scrupulous adherence to raga, and in some cases its association with krishnaite bhakti and the vernal Holi festival. An early antecedent to such songs would be the light, erotic catuspadi dance-song described in the Natyashastra, which was to be performed by women, in the lasya (graceful, effeminate) manner.\u201d<\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Again, many believe that in ancient times, folk songs were performed through dance and music. As we have already seen in Rag<\/em> Darpan,<\/em> the author has traced the ancient Barwa song, which was famous in the Doab region, sung through dance as the origin of Thumri. It was transformed into light raga music and spread as Thumri.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\u2018THUMAKNA\u2019 \u2013 To Walk with a Dancing Gait<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This song, rendered in the dance ‘Thumak’ or ‘Thamak’ rhythm, was the mainstay of the Tawaifs’ livelihood, which could have brought about the name ‘Thumri’. The style of this song varies across different genres of singing styles. It is sung in a specific rhythm varying with instrumental accompaniment. Different researchers have also perceived Thumri to provide a voice to the Tawaifs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The same is also supported by the biography of Gauhar Jaan by Vikram Sampath.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Thumri](\"https:\/\/artium-v2-blogs.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Thumri-The-Music-that-Resonates-with-Emotion-scaled.webp\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThumri and Its Influence on Indian Film Music<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
- Again, many believe that in ancient times, folk songs were performed through dance and music. As we have already seen in Rag<\/em> Darpan,<\/em> the author has traced the ancient Barwa song, which was famous in the Doab region, sung through dance as the origin of Thumri. It was transformed into light raga music and spread as Thumri.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- According to Vaishnavism, the ancient Thumaris written in Braj Bhasha are actually a form of Bhajan or Kirtan, which were later propagated in Varanasi. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- It is said that the emotional beauty of Bhairavi was enhanced after the genius of the King of Gwalior, Mansingh Tomar, added a contrasting tone to it, which was named ‘Tomri’,which gradually became popular as Thumari due to the difference in pronunciation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- In fact, the first historical reference of Thumri is seen in the monumental work \u2018Rag Darpan\u2019 <\/em>by Gawaliyari Faqirullah Faqir Saif Khan (1665-66) wherein he mentions \u201c.. the Indian raga or naghma Barwa is similar to and occasionally referred to as thumri..\u201d (Anu Bala,2023)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- The ancient ‘Chalika’ music, which was performed through dance songs and dramas, is believed by many to be the indigenous form of that Chalika. Because in that era, only the natis (dancers) or baranganas (courtesans) performed Chalika. It will be pertinent to point out that the author Nandagopal Biswas has observed, “The play ‘Malabikagnimitra<\/em>‘ by Kalidasa beautifully describes the performance of the Chalika by Malavika.” <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n