The “Purabiya” lilt in her voice was a clear marker of Varanasi, where she grew up and learned the art form. Sharma sang it as an ode to her guru and thumri queen, Devi, as a part of SPICMACAY and NDMC’s tribute concert, a “swaranjali” titled “Baabul Mora, Naihar Chhuto Hi Jaaye”, a Nawab Wajid Ali Shah poem popularly sung by Devi. The performance was followed by a beautiful one-hour session by 79-year-old flute maestro Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia, a close associate of Devi, who had also spent his initial days in Varanasi. In May, Devi had come to the same venue to pay her respects to vocalist Kishori Amonkar, who had passed away a few days before. She had arrived in a wheelchair for the tribute concert, organised by SPICMACAY.

Source: Indian Express November 29, 2017 18:46 UTC