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Born on 8'th
August 1908, in Banaras, Siddheshwari Devi had her initial training in
Indian Classical music from Pandit Siyaji Maharaj. Later, she also trained
under Pandit Bade Ram Dasji of Banaras. Siddheshwari shifted from Banaras
to Delhi in 1965 and taught music in Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra for
more than a decade till she passed away in 1977.
Siddheshwari Devi's music represented Banaras Gharana style, which lays
more emphasis on the intensity of feelings and expression of emotions
through musical notes and voice modulations. A stalwart of thumri, Siddheshwari's
music also included khayals, dhrupads, dadras, tappas, kajris, chaitis,
horis and bhajans. In thumris she specialized in "Poorabang" thumri, which
is also known as the "Bol-Banav-ki thumri". Reliance on ragas was a distinctive
feature of Siddheshwaris thumris. She helped in raising thumri to a classical
form. She earned the title of "Thumri-Queen" and was presented the much
coveted Padma Shree award in 1967.
Siddheshwari Devi strongly believed in "Guru Shishya Parampara" which
has been kept alive by her daughter Vidushi Savita Devi. Savita established "Smt
Siddheshwari Devi Academy of Indian Music" in the loving memory of her
mother in 1977, the year in which Siddheshwari passed away.
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