Jankibai of Allahabad: A Voice That Echoed Through Time

Introduction – 

Jankibai of Allahabad (1880–1934) was one of the first female Indian classical vocalists to be commercially recorded. Known as “Chhappan Chhuri” for her commanding presence and fearless spirit, she was deeply rooted in the thumri, dadra, and khayal traditions. Her recordings were among the most popular gramophone records in early 20th-century India and paved the way for women in Hindustani music.

Jankibai’s singing emerged in a time before microphones, where her voice had to carry across open courtyards and intimate gatherings. Her art, shaped by the aesthetics of the early 1900s, represents a unique blend of classical training and folk music. The texture of her voice embodies both resilience and refinement, conveying a sense of honesty that transcends time.

Early Life – 

Janaki Bai was born in Benaras in 1880, the daughter of a wrestler who abandoned her and her mother, Manki, for his mistress. Manki was later betrayed by someone she considered a friend and was sold to a kotha (a brothel) in Allahabad.

It was in Allahabad that Manki discovered Janaki’s fondness for music and her natural talent. She appointed Hassu Khan as Janaki’s teacher. Janaki received an education in which she learned Persian, Urdu, Sanskrit, and English. This knowledge undoubtedly enriched her musical performances. Later in her life, she wrote poetry and eventually published a diwan, or collection, of her work.

The training was incredibly effective, and Janki quickly emerged as a star, excelling not only in traditional performance settings such as salons and courts but also in modern venues like gramophones and concerts. Like her contemporary Gauhar Jaan from Calcutta, she became a highly sought-after gramophone artist, recording several discs during her career, which spanned over two decades.

At a time when female artists of Marg Sangeet were often in conflict with one another, the bond between these two women served as a remarkable example of camaraderie. In 1911, Janaki and Gauhar Jaan performed a special song together, titled “Yeh Jalsa Tajposhi Ka Mubarak Ho,” at the Delhi Darbar, which was held to celebrate the arrival of Emperor George V in India. As an honour for their performance, Janaki and Gauhar were each presented with 100 gold guineas..