Music Gharanas of Northern India

  

Music Gharanas of Northern India comprises of an organizational system of musicians or dancers following a particular style by lineage in northern part of the country. It also symbolizes a specific ideology of music. These musical ideologies changes from one Gharana to another. Compositions of a particular Gharana affect the thinking, performance and teachings of the music.

Agra Gharana
Agra Gharana is one of the most distinguished Music Gharanas of Northern India. A descendent of Nauhar Bani, this tradition of Hindustani classical vocal music was founded in the mid-19th century. Nayaka Gopala is the first renowned musician of this Gharana. Previously only Dhrupad-Dhamar style was prevalent in this Gharana but later Khayal style was also incorporated in it by Ustad Ghagghe Khudabuksh. The gayaki or characteristic of the compositions of this Gharana are the amalgamation of Dhrupad-Dhamar and Khayal. Tom-alaap usually marks the commencement of the performances and other compositions include Thumri, Tarana, Tappa, Dadra, Hori, Ghazal, Rasiya, Kaul etc.

Kirana Gharana
Among Hindustani Khayal Gharanas, Kirana Gharana is a prominent one. The famous Dhrupad singer, Gopal Nayak, founded this Gharana in the 13th century. Gopal Nayak belonged to Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh. The epitomes of this Gharana are Bhimsen Joshi, Abdul Wahid Khan, Ameer Khan and Abdul Karim Khan. In course of time, Karnataka and Maharashtra have become the centres of this style of singing and the main exponents of this Gharana belong to these states. The unique and most enchanting feature of this singing is the sargam taan which refers to the waving patters of musical notes. The most popular ragas of this Gharana are Marwa, Todi, Multani, Lalit, Patdeep, Puriya, Darbari Kanhara, Shuddha Kalyan and Komal-Rishabh Asavari.

Patiala Gharana
Another famous music gharana of northern India is Patiala Gharana. It was founded by Ustad Ali Baksh Khan and Ustad Fateh Ali Khan. The royal family of Patiala initially practiced this style of singing after Mughal Dynasty declined in the 18th century. Taals most commonly used with these compositions are Teentaal and Ektaal. Khayals and Thumris are the most emphasized singings in this Gharana.

Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana
Another Gharana of Hindustani Classical Music is Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana. It is mainly focussed in the towns of northern Uttar Pradesh namely Rampur and Sahaswan. The founder of this Gharana is Ustad Inayat Hussain Khan. The style of singing closely resembles with Gwalior Gharana.

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