Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Siddeshwari - documentary by Mani Kaul



Siddheswari: A name synonymous to Thumri.
long back when i started hearing classical music on radio(that time only radio was the medium) through which we could connect with outside world. News Papers were not even were available to most of households. On various programs i heard her singing. 
Poorvi Ang or singing style of Banares was her forte. 
Thumri and She mingled together so well that even Mani Kaul ji made documentary on her and named it as just Thumri?

Orphaned as very young age she was brought up by her aunt living at Varanasi. condition in which she lived is evident from one incident i would like to write(my opinion from what i had read)
one day Music teacher Sarangi master Siyaji Mishra was teaching her cousin, but she could perfect it. then Aunt- the mother of this student started thrasing. Siddheswari rushed and protected her cousin. She also said why you cannot try to sing as master ji has taught. Then Siddheswari repeated what teacher had taught. Everyone was shocked to listen. Means till that time not much importance was given to teaching of Siddheswari even by her own aunt, and she was doing all household chores. Later it is said that Siyaji Mishra asked her aunt to give this daughter as they themselves are childless and wish to keep her as their daughter?

From there on her learning in classical music started. then she became legend. She was one of the most sought after singer, Many courts Raja etc invited her. 

Later her voice had changed but still she sang with full colours. 




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