The 'Thumri Queen' passes away: Shobha Gurtu (1925 - 2004)

Noted vocalist Shobha Gurtu died at her Worli residence in central Mumbai on September 27, 2004, following a cardiac arrest. She was 78. Known as the ‘Thumri Queen’, Gurtu's career spanned over five decades.

Born in Belgaum in 1925, Shobha Gurtu hailed from a family in which melody ruled and rhythm had a shrine. She received her initial lessons in music from her mother Srimati Menakabai Shirodkar, a noted dancer of her time who also was trained in vocal music in the Atrauli Jaipur ‘Gayaki’ of Ustad Alladiya Khan. Later, Shobha had the privilege of receiving advanced training from Ustads of the eminence of Nathan Khan, in classical singing, and Ghamman Khan, in light classical and popular music. Her father-in-law, Pandit Narayan Nath Gurtu, the erudite scholar and musician, also gave her valued guidance and direction in her pursuit of music.

The grand dame of Thumri was thoroughly steeped in pure Classical Music. But she was better known for her light Classical Music. Shobha Gurtu was considered to be in a class by herself not merely because of the unique qualities of her warm and sensuous voice that blended strength with suppleness and vigour with grace. It was equally much the unique combination of talent and soul that she brought to bear on her music. She evolved a technique that let her negotiate, with equal ease, everything from thumri, dadra, hori, kajri and chaiti to ghazal, bhajan and Marathi Natya Sangeet, with all regional and stylistic variations blended subtly.

A popular broadcaster and television artiste, she regularly featured in major musical events held all over the country. She had also created the musical scores for several Marathi and Hindi movies and had also lent her voice to the silver screen.

Shobha Gurtu was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and the Padma Bhusan. She is survived by two sons.

Shobha’s association with ITC-SRA harks back to the early 80s. ITC-SRA considers itself honoured and privileged to have had Shobha grace several of its Sangeet Sammelans, where her ethereal music had thrilled audiences. She was also invited to perform at the Music Festival of India in 1997, which celebrated 50 years of India’s independence. The glittering, star-studded affair, organised by ITC-SRA on behalf of World Music Inc., was held at the Carnegie Hall in USA.