Girija Devi (8 May 1929 – 24 October 2017) was an Indian classical singer of the Seniya and Banaras gharanas. She performed classical and light classical music and helped elevate the profile of thumri. She died on 24 October 2017.

16/07/2019

Girija Devi : Hindustani classical music.

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Padma Vibhushan (2016)

1. Profile :

Background information
Born    8 May 1929
Benares, Benares State, British India
Died    24 October 2017 (aged 88)
Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Genres    Hindustani classical music
Instruments    vocal
Years active    1949–2017
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2. Introduction :

Girija Devi (8 May 1929 – 24 October 2017) was an Indian classical singer of the Seniya and Banaras gharanas. She performed classical and light classical music and helped elevate the profile of thumri. She died on 24 October 2017.
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3. Early life :

Girija Devi was born in Varanasi, on 8 May 1929, to Ramdeo Rai, a zamindar. Her father played the harmonium and taught music, and had Girija Devi take lessons in singing khyal and tappa from vocalist and sarangi player Sarju Prasad Misra starting at the age of five. She starred in the movie Yaad rahe aged nine and continued her studies under Sri Chand Misra in a variety of styles.
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4. Performing career :

Girija Devi made her public debut in 1949 on All India Radio Allahabad, after marrying a businessman circa 1946, but faced opposition from her mother and grandmother because it was traditionally believed that no upper class woman should perform publicly. Girija Devi agreed to not perform privately for others, but gave her first public concert in Bihar in 1951. She studied with Sri Chand Misra until he died in the early 1960s, worked as a faculty member of the ITC Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata in the 1980s and of the Banaras Hindu University during the early 1990s, and taught several students to preserve her musical heritage. Girija Devi often toured and continued to perform in 2009.

Girija Devi sang in the Banaras gharana and performed the purabi ang thumri style typical of the tradition, whose status she helped elevate. Her repertoire included the semi-classical genres kajri, chaiti, and holi and she sang khyal, Indian folk music, and tappa. The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians once stated that her semi-classical singing combined her classical training with the regional characteristics of the songs of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
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Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (2010)

5. Awards :

Mohd. Hamid Ansari presenting the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship 2010 to Girija Devi, at the investiture ceremony of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards 2010

    Padma Shri (1972)
    Padma Bhushan (1989)
    Padma Vibhushan (2016)
    Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1977)
    Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (2010)
    Maha Sangeet Samman Award (2012)
    Sangeet Samman Award ( Dover Lane Music Conference)
    GiMA Awards 2012 (Lifetime Achievement)
    TanaRiri Puraskar
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6. Future of folk music uncertain, warns Girija Devi

Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service
Patiala, February 2017

Her music blends all elements that the Indian classical tradition can ever boast of. Transcending the limits of time and space, it pulsates with ever fresh life. And though it has roots in tradition, it continues to sound vital, as it did years ago when a 20-year-old Girija Devi made her debut on Radio Allahabad.

On that day in history, she was keen to share with the world the nuances of Benaras gharana. On this day, the world is keen to absorb what she has to offer — from the purabi ang thumri typical to Benaras tradition, khayal and dhrupad to the folk forms of Holi, Chaiti, Kajri and Jhoola. The only living performer of purabi ang thumri, made legendary by Siddheshwari Devi and Begum Akhtar, Girija Devi is also the only one initiating musicians into folk traditions, that are passing into oblivion.

In Patiala to perform during the Heritage Festival, Girija Devi minced no words while stating that traditional styles were in danger. “The future of classical music is safe but that of folk forms is not so much safe. There are hardly any gurus left. Also, these styles are more challenging than classical forms which require improvisation within the raga. They tempt you to walk out of the raga and find your way back into it. It’s like being led away from home and being asked to trace the road back. And homecomings are always tough.”

All praise for Patiala, Girija Devi said, “Patiala is musically very rich. Punjab ang thumri is also famous, but seldom sung. Thumri, as such, is hardly sung. It requires balancing of lyrics and swaras. There are few who can do that. We are passing on this tradition to disciples in Benaras.” In another moment, Girija recalled the “Abhinandan granth”, which her disciples released on her 71st birth day. “They spoke about their Guru Maa in the granth. Girija Devi introduced guru shishya parampara at ITC Research Academy, Kolkata.

Also running a trust to support poor students and the aged artistes, Girija Devi finds time to bury her stress in laughter.
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7. Music brought Girija Devi, husband closer' Appaji, as she was fondly called, was married to Madhusudan Jain at the age of 15 and lived music in every way.

*Girija Devi with her husband Madhusudan Jain

Late Indian classical music icon Girija Devi lived the art form in "every way" and it was her musical pursuit and passion that brought her close to her businessman husband Madhusudan Jain, almost 20 years her senior, reminisced vocalist Debapriya Adhikary. Mentored by Girija Devi for over a decade, Adhikary and sitarist Samanwaya Sarkar (of the duo DebSam) directed a documentary film on the legend titled Girija : A Lifetime In Music, along with Sankalp Meshram, with the aim to "bring out her original persona and philosphy behind her music".

Girija Devi played a key part in popularising and raising the profile of Thumri that gave her the appellation Thumri Queen. Appaji (as she was fondly called) was married to Jain at the age of 15.

"It was a very loving and nice relationship. But her husband was definitely a very strict person and she used to abide by all rules and regulations always. If she had to go to a concert for one day and another concert was scheduled in two days time, she was not allowed to stay there for more than one day. "She had to do it and come back and she could go again. And she maintained those. She maintained her household, did husband's 'sewa' and everything because they had an age difference of almost 20 years," Adhikary said.

"She maintained those and (that's why) her husband also supported and the music was also the key to bring her close to her husband. He used to organise concerts and all and that in a way was a help for her," he said.

Part of the film was shot in Banaras (Varanasi), where Girija Devi grew up and spent a significant part of her life. The film also includes rare footage from her old concerts, and interviews with maestros of Indian classical music and dance like Ravi Shankar, Abdul Rashid Khan, Birju Maharaj, Kishori Amonkar, Hari Prasad Chaurasiya, Rajan-Sajan Misra, and Amjad Ali Khan.

In the biography section of the documentary's website, it is stated: "When I (Girija Devi) was just fifteen years old, I was married to Shri Madhusudan Jain, a businessman who was truly a lover of music and poetry. I was fortunate to have so much support from my husband. A year after our marriage, we had a baby girl.

"My husband continued to support my musical career – but I soon felt the strains and demands of domestic life interfering with my practice."

"I decided to go away to Sarnath for a year. My husband found a small place for me, and I lived there with my maid while my mother took care of my daughter. My husband and Guru Srhichand-ji visited me every evening. I continued to take rigorous music lessons from my guru and I practiced for several hours every day, starting at 3:30 a.m."

"That one year of deep, spiritual practice, Sadhana, changed my life. The hard work paid off. I came back to Banaras (Varanasi) with a new insight of what sur, a musical note, really means." She further says: "It is hard to believe that in 1949, I had already officially launched a career as a professional musician. With my husband's support, I kept learning, performing and travelling to music festivals. My husband did not want me to perform at private concerts, and I was happy to accommodate his wishes." Adhikary and Sarkar are both "Gandabandh disciples" of Girija Devi. "She lived music in every way, even for simple things like eating, cooking etc. If you were to place a glass on a surface, she used to say 'ismein bhi sangeet dikhna chahiye.' It's very tough to define it in words. She is an inspiration for everyone irrespective of gender," Adhikary said, continuing to refer to his 'Gurumaa' in the present tense.ians

Adhikary attested to her admirable "strength and will."

"She never resented, never complained about health... we saw her living the music in every aspect. She was never satisfied. So that should be the message for youngsters because youngsters nowadays learn music for five to six years and then they feel they are done. She challenged herself in every way," the vocalist added.
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8. Condolences pour in mourning 'Queen of Thumri' Girija Devi's demise : 25 Oct 2017

Hundreds of music lovers and artistes bid a tearful adieu to thumri queen Girija Devi, fondly known as Appa ji, whose mortal remains were kept at the lobby of Sangeet Research Academy (SRA) on Wednesday. One of the last exponents of the Banaras gharana of thumri passed away on Tuesday at the Birla Heart Research Institute in Kolkata. She had been ailing with several health problems for some time. She was 88. Her mortal remains will be flown to Varanasi where her final rites will be performed on Thursday.

Condoling her death, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted: "Girija Devi's death is a great loss to the music world. We were honoured to confer her with Banga Bibhushan in 2015."

Indranil Sen, Minister of State for Information and Cultural Affairs went to SRA to pay his last respect. Vocalist Rashid Khan added: "Girija Devi will be remembered for many years for her devotion, dedication and simplicity." Sarod player Tejendranarayan Mazumdar said: "She was last of the great classical artistes who had guided and inspired those of the present generation who will carry forward her legacy. I have grown up listening to her music and will always remember her pleasing personality."

Singer Lata Mangeshkar posted a picture of herself with Girija Devi and tweeted: "Mahan shastriya aur thumri gayika Girija Devi ji hamare bich nahi rahi ye sunke mujhe bahut dukh hua. Hamare unke bahut acche sambandh the."

Classical instrumentalist Pt Debojyoti Bose, who was a close to her, said: "Seniormost artist of Benaras Gharanas Bidushi Girija Devi is no more. All the artistes of Indian classical music will miss her".

Issuing a statement, the ITC deeply mourned her death and mentioned that a deep void in Indian classical music has been created because of the maestro's sad demise.

Vidushi Girija Devi was an ITC Sangeet Research Academy Guru. A legend in her lifetime, her music has vastly enriched the tradition of Hindustani classical music and enthralled music lovers across the globe. Championing the legacy of ITC-SRA's celebrated Guru-Shishya Parampara, she passionately pursued teaching music till her final days and helped preserve her rich musical heritage through her students.

The government of India bestowed on Vidushi Girija Devi three of the highest civilian awards — Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and the Padma Shri. She also received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship. The Postal Department honoured the musical maestro by featuring her on a postal stamp. In 2003, she was conferred the ITC Samman for her unparalleled contribution to the field of Indian classical music.

Right from its inception in 1977, she was one of the key flagbearers of ITC-SRA's larger Vision to nurture and propagate the priceless heritage. She was dearly loved and admired for her magnetic personality, lively sense of humour, colourful Benarasi Hindi speech and instant connect with every individual.

At ITC-SRA, Vidushi Girija Devi symbolised the true relationship between the guru and the shishya by nurturing an eternal bond of trust, knowledge, continuity and the sheer celebration of art's universal glory.

"I am deeply saddened to hear about the demise of Vidushi Girija Devi. Acknowledged as a legend in the field of Hindustani classical vocal music, she has over the years enthralled audiences in India and across the world with her exemplary performances. My sincere condolences to her family, her disciples and millions of music lovers. May her soul rest in peace;" said Y C Deveshwar, Chairman, ITC Ltd.

"Vidushi Girija Deviji leaves behind a huge void both in the world of Hindustani classical music and ITC Sangeet Research Academy. Her rich legacy will continue to inspire musicians across all genres and the contributions she leaves behind at ITC Sangeet Research Academy will continue to guide our scholars for many years to come. I express my deepest condolences to her family members, shishyas and the very large number of grieving admirers she leaves behind," said Sanjiv Puri, CEO and Executive Director, ITC Limited.

The End.
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