An exquisite Thumari rendition by none other than Padmabhushan Ustad Raashid Khan ‘Yaad Piyaki Aaye maddened me completely. His transformation of those words is really mellifluous and soul touching. The longing of a loving woman for her lover, who is far away, is beautifully painted by Ustadji in his inimitable style well punctuated, adding special emphasis on peculiar Swar (Accent), which enhances the essence of those lines. In fact, he enlivens those apparently simple words. He imbued those words, which express the burning desire of a lover. I must have heard those lines many times and wonder how he created that magic. It impelled me transform those magical words into English, so that who do not understand Hindi can enjoy that Thumari.
“My Darling’s sweet memories
Oh God! It is hunting!
Oh God! I cannot bear this agony.
This humming of cuckoo
Stings very badly.
It burns my heart.
Oh My Friend! Listen I am young
And my youth is getting wasted.
Oh God!”
It will be unjust if, I do not mention other famous singers, who have also sung this Thumari, in their own style, like Ustad Padmshri Puranchand Wadali & Pyarelal Wadali, All Time Great, Bade Gulam Ali Khan Saheb, Pandita Shobha Gurtu, Padmabhushan Shri. Ajoy Chakraborty, Pandita Koushiki Chakraborty, Pandit Hariharan etc.