thumri is regarded as a rainy season speciality the festival according to the culture department sources was aimed at giving a new dimension to thumri a somewhat decaying form of indian classical music and at reviving tradition to maintain link with the glorious pastthe invitees to the festival included names like murad bano ram prakash mishra iqbal ahmed khan kumud diwan markandeya mishra govardhan mishra and kameshwar pathak the last two being the representatives of the gaya gharana however iqbal ahmed and kumud diwan could not make it to the festivalthe enchanting display of modulated voice and sharppitch variations by murad bano besides keeping the select group of music lovers present in the auditorium spellbound to a great extent compensated the absence of the delhibased thumri exponents iqbal and diwan rajen sijuar of the gaya gharana also kept the gaya flag flying at the mahotsavaaccording to renaissance president sanjay sahay the thumri mahotsava will go a long way in reestablishing the classical music forms and the event was undoubtedly a success but the only worrying aspect is that the event could not throw up new talents as the mahotsava participants were established names in the world of indian classical music however sahay hoped that in view of the efforts being made new faces may emerge but the process may take some time as classical music is not something that comes easilyrajesh a schoolstudent feels the young generation does not have the patience to practise long hours for years to learn classical music popular music attracts the new generation more as it can bring instant recognition and fame but the show must go on he saysgaya district magistrate sanjay kumar says more such events will be organized in days to come