Kolkata (West Bengal) [India]: Thumri proponent and expert in classical singing, Girija Devi, passed away on Tuesday, 25 October, due to a cardiac arrest. She was 88 and is survived by a daughter.
Warmheartedly known as Appa ji, Girija Devi was taken to the city's BM Birla Heart Research Centre with a cardiovascular disorder.
"She came in a very dreadful state in the evening. Yet, our doctors tried their level best to stabilize Girija Devi's health parameter. Throughout that phase, she had another attack and could not put up with that. She died around 9 pm tonight," quoted BM Birla official.
Girija Devi was born in Varanasi, on May 8 1929, to Ramdeo Rai, a zamindar, she was taken her lessons in singing khyal and tappa from vocalist and sarangi player Sarju Prasad Misra at the age of five.
At the young age of nine, she performed in a film, named 'Yaad Rahe' and continued her studies under Sri Chand Misra in a multiplicity of styles.
Girija Devi made her public debut in 1949 on All India Radio Allahabad.After that, she getting married to a renowned businessman of Banaras, Madhusudan Jain, in 1946 at the age of 15.
Expressing his sorrow over death Thumri queen, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "Saddened by the demise of Girija Devi ji. Indian classical music has lost one of its most melodious voices. My thoughts are with her admirers."
"Girija Devi ji's music appealed across generations. Her pioneering efforts to popularize Indian classical music will always be remembered," PM Modi added.
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