The Music of Hindostan c16.190

c16.190

The *Thumri*, love-song, is of Hindu origin. It is in the Vraj *bhāṣa*. Vraj is the district round Agra and Mathurā, the scene of Krishna’s juvenile adventures. The music is lively and adapted to pantomime or dancing. The subjects of *Thumri*’s are: (1) beseeching the lover to be propitious, (2) lamentation over his absence, (3) imprecation of rivals, (4) laments over the watchfulness of the mother-in-law and sisters-in-law who prevent meetings with the lover, and over the tinkling bells of anklets imposed by jealous husbands to prevent clandestine visits, (5) appeals to female friends (*Sakhīs*) for help to secure an interview, (6) *Sakhīs* reminding their friend of the appointment and exhorting her to persevere.