Indian music gharana

 

 Gharanas in Indian Classical Music is an years-old tradition. Most Hindustani musicians train under the umbrella of a certain style which is called  gharana. The word 'Gharana' derived from the Hindi word 'ghar' (house). In the context of music, it refers to a musical lineage with a consistent and special approach to presentation. every Gharana has a certain unique style which differs from one to another. All the gharanas are distinguished by the styles and manner in which they sing the notes. An experienced listener can easily  pick out the salient features that identify one gharana from another. Below is a list of some famous and  popular Gharanas of Hindustani classical song (vocal). 

     Gwalior Gharana

 This is the oldest among all the Khayal  (vocal) styles. Approximate founding date mid 16th century. The distinctive feature of this style of singing has been noted as its lucidity and simplicity. 

Founders - Ustad Hassu Khan, Ustad Haddu Khan, Ustad Nathu Khan

Famous Exponents - Bal Krishna BaIchal Karanjikar, Vishnu Digambar Paluskar, Pandit Omkarnath Thakur, Veena Sahasrabuddhe, and Malini Rajurkar and N Rajam

     Kirana Gharana

  It derives its name from the birthplace of Abdul Kharim Khan of Kirana near Kurukshetra. In the Kirana style of singing, the swara is used to create an emotional mood by means of elongation and use of Kana-s.  Approximate founding date late 17th century.

Founders - Abdul Karim Khan and Abdul Wahid Khan

Famous Exponents - Hirabhai Barodekar, Begum Akhtar, Bhimsen Joshi, Gangubai Hangal, Sawai Gandharva and Prabha Atre.

      Agra Gharana

  The Agra Gharana places great importance on developing forcefulness and deepness in the voice so that the notes are powerful and resonant. It is closer to Dhrupad gharana. Approximate founding date mid 19th century.

Founders - Haji Sujan Khan, Ustad Ghagghe Khuda Baksh

Famous Exponents - Faiyyaz Khan, Latafat Hussein Khan and Dinkar Kakini.

       Patiala Gharana

  Patiala Gharana is regarded as an offspring of the Delhi Gharana. The Patiala Gharana is characterized by the use of greater rhythm play and by Layakari with the abundant use of Bols, particularly Bol-tans. Approximate founding date late 19th century.

Founders - Ustad Fateh Ali Khan and Ustad Ali Baksh

Famous Exponents -  Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Ajoy Chakravarti, Raza Ali Khan, Beghum Akhtar, Nirmala Deni, Naina Devi, Parveen Sultana and others.

        Dilli Gharana

  The Dilli Ghaana was represented by Tanras Khan and Shabbu Khan. The highlights of Delhi Gharana are pleasing vistaar and exquisite compositions. Approximate founding date 13th century. 

Founder - Ustad Mamman Khan

Famous Exponents -  Chand Khan, Nasir Ahmed Khan, Usman Khan, Iqbal Ahmed Khan and Krishna Bisht. 

        Mewati Gharana

   The Mewati Gharana gives importance to developing the mood of the raga through the notes forming it and its style is Bhava Pradhan. It also gives equal importance to the meaning of the text. Approximate founding date mid 19th century.

Founder -  Ghagge Nazir Khan. 

Famous Exponents - Pandit Jasraj, Moti Ram, Mani Ram, Sanjeev Abhyankar

        Jaipur - Atrauli Gharana

    The most distinctive feature of the Jaipur Gharana can be best described as its complex and melodic form which arises out of the involutedly and undulating phrases that comprise the piece. Approximate founding date late 19th century.

Founder - Ustad Alladiya Khan 

Famous Exponents - Alladiya Khan, Mallikarjun Mansur, Kesarbhai Kerkar, Kishori Amonkar, Shruti Sadolikar, Padma Talwalkar and Ashwini Bhide Deshpande.

         Bhendi Bazaar Gharana

  The most distinctive feature of the Bhendi Bazaar Gharana is the presentation of Khayal, which is open voice, using Akar. There is a stress on breath-control and singing of long passages in one breath is highly regarded in this Gharana. Approximate founding date Late 19th century.

Founders - Ustad Chajju Khan, Khadim Hussain Khan

Famous Exponents - The important singers of this Gharana are Ustad Aman Ali Khan, Shashikala Koratkar and Anjanibai Malpekar. 

         Rampur Sahaswan Gharana

  There is a stress on the clarity of swara in The Rampur Sahaswan Gharana and the development and elaboration of the raga is done through a stepwise progression. Approximate founding date Mid 19th century

Founder - Ustad Inayat Khan

Famous Exponents - Ghulam Mustafa Khan, Ustad Nissar Hussain Khan and Ustad Rashid Khan.

          Benaras Gharana

The Benaras Gharana evolved as a result of great lilting style of khayal singing known by Thumri singers of Benaras and Gaya. 

Founder - Pt Gopal Mishra

Famous Exponents -  Rajan Mishra, Sajan Mishra, Girija Devi. 

           Indore Gharana

    Slow-tempo raga development and improvisation mostly in lower and middle octaves are the characteristic feature of this gharana. It gives emphasis on melody. Approximate founding date Mid 20th century.

Founder - Amir Khan

Famous Exponents - Pandit Amarnath, Shrikant Bakre, Gokulotsavji Maharaj, Ajit Singh Pental