About the Book :

The book narrates the story of the sad, rather step-motherly treatment meted out by orthodox musicians to Thumri-especially their castigation of Thumri as a dance form. Such apathy and castigation stem from a colonial milieu and the education that went with it. For all practical purposes not only is the Thumri's dance portion too often totally ignored, but it is even considered superfluous! The author impresses on the reader the close link between the dance and the music. Such at least was the indissoluble union of style in the past. The author hopes that the book will correct this disturbed relationship. As such the work is of immense artistic importance.

About the Author:

The author of the book is not only a reputed art critic, but also a balletomane himself, having in the early forties produced and directed a number of ballets-including children's ballets. His key contribution in some of the children's ballets was balletmusic on percussions. Projesh Banerjee's devotion to the study of Indian Dancing as well as to its revival goes back to the 1930s-a period when little was known of India's dance tradition by the educated public. His first work, an encyclopedia of India dance, entitled Dance of India, was published in 1941, followed by other. He was intimately connected with Uday Shankar Co.Ltd. for some time. He also acted as impresario for a number of other acknowledge dancers of first rank and extensively traveled in this connection. His deep absorption in the fine arts Made him a successful dance teacher. Projesh Banerjee sarved as juror for assessment of dance at All India Music Conferences, All India Drama Competitions, as also on the Public Service Commission, the All India radio etc. He has also served as Principal, B.T. College, run by Prayag Sangit Samiti, Allahabad.