NIRMALA DEVI ...THE UNSUNG THUMRI QUEEN OF INDIA

NIRMALA DEVI ( 1927-1996)… THE UNSUNG THUMRI QUEEN.. ….AND THUMRI IS A SONG OF LOVE  AND PINING . … 

Nirmala Devi was born in a rich family of Jewellers from Varanasi. Yes Varanasi the land that gave us doyens like Girja Devi, Siddeshwari Devi and Rasoolan Bai.

Mother of Hindi Cinema' s popular actor GOVINDA, Nirmal Devi was a renowned Classical singer of yore . Having been trained by Ustad Atta Khan of Patiala Gharana , She remained an unsung Queen of Thumris . Some Musicians hold an opinion that she was a disciple of Ustad Abdul Rehman Khan of Patiala Gharana who was a student of Ustad Atta Khan.Apart from Nirmala Devi, Ustad Abdul Rehman Khan also trained Lakshmi Shankar ( Source.. Page 144 of the Book "Tradtitions of Hindustani Classical Music " By Manorama Sharma )

In 1942, She married a Punjabi actor Arun Kumar Ahuja ( 1917-1998 ) . It was a love marriage ; An intimacy that blossomed into a serious Love affair while they were shooting for a Movie ( SAVERA ) . Arun Ahuja was an accomplished actor of early forties of last century who acted in many films including Mehboob Khan’s “Aurat” . After her marriage , she came to be known as Nirmala Arun. She also acted in some films made in early Forties of last Century but it was singing only that earned her name and respect. 

The family Was struck by a great misfortune when Arun Ahuja decided to produce a film and suffered heavy losses .The family once living in a bungalow in Mumbai’s posh Carter Road had to live in a chawl in Virar . It was Nirmala Devi’s concerts , Work at AIR(later Door Darshan ) and singing for films that enabled her family of six children to survive and stand up . 

“Ro Ro Nain Ganwaaye , Sajna na Aaye “ is my Favourite Thumri sung by Nirmala Devi.Her Bhjan “Bhaktanake Hitakari Hari Tum” is also my Favourite .

Nirmala Devi's  range , remarkable throw and controlled high pitch was exceptional. .

( Autar Mota )

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