Vocal Gharanas Hindustani Classical Music Meaning And History

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Here is a juicy fact! The word ‘Gharana’ comes from the Hindi word “Ghar” meaning house. This indicates that this musical tradition belonged to a specific household or a lineage.

Interesting isn’t it?

Famous Gharanas in Hindustani classical music have many ranges of music styles and traditions. It not only preserves the art form but explains the techniques and the instructions clearly. Here is a list of the prominent vocal Gharanas in Hindustani classical.

What is the Meaning of ‘Gharanas’ in Hindustani Classical?

Like I have mentioned earlier in this text, the word ‘Gharana’ originates from the word ‘Ghar’ which means ‘Home’. This signifies that the concept is carried forward by the families generations after generations. In simple words, Gharanas are the school of Hindustani Classical Music traditions passed down through generations.

Each of the major types of gharana in Indian Classical Music has a unique way of teaching and performing. Famous Gharanas in Hindustani classical music are closely associated with particular regions and families who specialize in particular compositions. Compositions like dhrupad, khayals, tumri, tapas etc.

The origins of various Gharanas in Indian music has a unique take on features of music and its philosophy. Let’s look into each type in detail in this blog.

Famous Gharanas in Hindustani Classical Music

Here are some of the popular ones that are still in the mix. We will also look into the origins of various Gharanas in Indian music.

Gwalior Gharana: City Of Grace

Origin: Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.

Popular Compositions: Dhrupads and Khayals.

Notable Artists: Ustaad Fayyaz Khan, Ustaad Haidar Ali Khan, Pandit Omkarnath Thakur.

Distinctive features: Slow aalap – Jod – Jhala

Gwalior Gharana is one of the most influential in Hindustani classical music, and happens to be one of the oldest and the most admired forms of schooling in Hindustani classical music. It is best known for its precise ornamentations and rendition of raags using the traditional approach. It is one of the top vocal Gharanas in Hindustani classical.

In Gwalior Gharana, any composition would start with a slow aalap, continues to progress in medium tempo which is known as Jod and ends in fast tempo (Jhala).

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The concept of Meend (slide between swaras) was introduced by the Gwalior Gharana.

Categorized under one of the top 5 Gharanas of khayal singing, it focuses primarily on a systematic use of raag and rhythm’s’ features.

Rampur- Sahaswan Gharana: Harmonious Drama

Origin: Rampur, Uttar Pradesh

Popular Compositions: Khayals.

Notable Artists: Ustad Mushtaq Ali Khan, Ustad Rasaloon Bai, Ustad Vilayat Khan.

Distinctive features: Delicate alaps, rapid Bol movements.

Originated from Uttar Pradesh, Rampur-Sahaswan is predominantly with Khayal type of compositions and its connections to Harmonium playing. Famous Gharanas in Hindustani classical music such as Rampur, mainly focuses on the intricate treatment of ragas and the melodic use of swaras. The emotional depth and creativity is such an admiring feature in this system. More expressions are added while performing a raag or a composition in a particular raag.

Rampur Gharanas in Hindustani classical music mostly features khayals and druvpads with an emphasis on creative improvisation and emotional appeal. The differences between gharanas in sitar playing and vocal would be the ornamentation styles and the intonation while performing a raag.

Agra Gharana: Tales Of Ragas!

Origin: Agra, Uttar Pradesh

Popular Compositions: Thumri, Dhrupads.

Notable Artists: Ustad Faiyaz Khan, Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki.

Distinctive Features: Gamaka, Tan and Meend.

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Agra Gharana began during the reign of Allaudin Kulji around 1300s.

Next up on the list is best known for its slow deliberate compositions, it often resonates well with listeners. The performers from this style of teaching give more priority to slow and deliberate aalap and jod sections where the mood and the thoughtfulness of the raag is brought out beautifully.

The most admirable meend, gamaks and taan patterns that are full of ornamentations that are expressive. In Hindustani classical music, Agra Gharana follows a powerful voice culture and have an emphasis on the concepts of Laya (rhythm)

Kirana Gharana: Serenade of Subtlety!

Origin: Kirana, Maharashtra

Popular Compositions: Khayals, Bhajans

Notable Artists: Ustad Amir Khan, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi.

Distinctive features: Gayaki.

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Performers avoid Loud dynamics and almost ‘whisper’ to bring out the subtlety feature of Kirana Gharana.

Kirana is one of the Vocal Gharanas in Hindustani classics best known for its melodic expressiveness of raags. There seems to be an important and rather admirable feature called Gayaki in this school of teaching. It is a style of singing that relates to being deeply emotional and meditative.

Through a combination of slow aalap and taans in khayals and other compositions, Kirana is just one of the top 5 Gharanas of khayal singing. Long sustaining swaras with lots of room for improvisation highlights the best features and the mood of raags.

Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana: Khayals Vs. Druvpads!

Origin: Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Popular Compositions: Khayals, Dhrupads, Damar.

Notable Artists: Ustad Alladiya Khan, Pandit Jasraj, Ustad Rashid Khan.

Distinctive features: Layakari

Dramatic development and much elaboration of swaras are such beautiful features of Jaipur- Atrauli, vocal Gharanas in Hindustani classical. It focuses on meend, gamaks and taans using the important notes. Yet another admirable feature is Layakari, a rhythmic improvisation which the performers do captivate.

The origin of Jaipur-Atrauli played an important part in shaping not just this genre but all the Gharanas in Hindustani classical music. This is also known for improvisation and creating new melodic patterns blending traditional and modern elements.

Lucknow Gharana: Raga And Romance!

Origin: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Popular Compositions: Thumri, Dadra

Notable Artists: Begum Aktar, Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan

Distinctive features: Gamakas, Bhava

Did You Know?

Lucknow Gharana is best known for the romantic performances of ‘Thumris’. One might say ‘Lucknow’s Thumri Romance’

Smooth and elegant renditions of raags make Lucknow Gharana to be one of the distinctive Vocal Gharanas in Hindustani classical.

When I had learned this, I was fascinated by the combination of fast and slow movements in the compositions. The slow and elaboration of raags in the form of aalap brings out the beauty and intricate mood of the said raag. On the other hand, the fast movements in the form of taans with subtle gamakas and murkis makes the renditions emotionally moving!

Etawah Gharana: The 19th Century Style

Origin: Etawah, Uttar Pradesh

Popular Compositions: Vocal style bandishes

Notable Artists: Ustad Imdad Khan, Ustad Enatat Khan

Distinctive features: Gayaki ang, use of Mizrab and meend

Popularly known as the Imdadkhani gharana is one of the prominent schools of teaching especially for sitar and surbahar playing. It was founded by Ustad Imdad Khan. The distinctive features are the vocal style mimics(gayaki ang), smooth slides between the notes(meend), long and elaborate alaps and the gat compositions. Founded in the 19th century and became widely appreciated and followed for learning and performing Sitar.

Maihar Gharana: Conserving Instrumental Traditions

Origin: Maihar, Madhya Pradesh

Popular Compositions: Dhrupad, Dhamar, Gat

Notable Artists: Ustad Alauddin Khan, Pandit Ravishankar, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan

Distinctive features: Jod and Jhala

One of the most influential music Gharana in India for its instrumental tradition especially for sitar, sarod and violin. This school bridges tradition and innovation to produce artists rooted in both classical and contemporary discipline apt for the 20th century. Follows guru-shishya-parampara with an emphasis on rigorous practice and purity of a raag.

Delhi Gharana: The Lesser Known

Origin: Delhi, India

Popular Compositions: Peshkar, Kaida, Rela.

Notable Artists: Ustad Siddhar Khan Dhadi, Ustad Inam Ali Khan, Ustad Gamay Khan

Distinctive features: Clear and crisp bols, Dayan and Bayan

One of the oldest Indian Classical Music Gharanas, best known for its association with percussion especially tabla playing. It teaches that both the drum dayan and bayan must be balanced and have equal emphasis. Clarity and precision with crisp bols with traditional, less ornamental style is yet another distinctive feature.

A comparison between the Major Gharanas in Indian Classical Music.

Gharana	Suitable For	Origin	Distinctive feature	Notable artists
Gwalior	Vocal	Gwalior, 18th century	Simple and balanced style with clear bandishes	Ustaad Fayyaz Khan, Ustaad Haidar Ali Khan, Pandit Omkarnath Thakur.
Kirana	Vocal (Khayl)	Kirana, 19th century Vocal	Slow melodic development, gayaki	Ustad Amir Khan, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi
Rampur- Sahaswan	Vocal (khaya, dhruvpad)	Rampur, 19th century	Delicate alaps, rapid movemnets	Ustad Mushtaq Ali Khan, Ustad Rasaloon Bai, Ustad Vilayat Khan.
Delhi	Tabla	Delhi, 18th century.	Crisp bols, use of both hands	Ustad Siddhar Khan Dhadi, Ustad Inam Ali Khan, Ustad Gamay Khan
Agra	Vocal (Thumri, Dhruvpads)	Agra,18th century.	Layakari, taans and meen influenced singing.	Ustad Faiyaz Khan, Pandit Jitendra Abhishek
Kirana	Vocal (Khayals, Bhajans)	Kirana, 19th century	Slow melodic development, swarasthana.	Ustad Amir Khan, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi.
Etawah	Sitar	Etawah ,19th century	Gayaki ang, use of Mizrab and meend	Ustad Imdad Khan, Ustad Enatat Khan
Maihar	Instrumental (Dhrupad, Dhamar, Gat)	Maihar, 20th century	Multi-instrumental masteryJod and Jhala	Dhrupad, Dhamar, Gat

How Gharanas Evolve Over Time?

Indian Classical Music Gharanas evolve and improve by balancing traditional values and innovative ideas. It is absolutely essential to preserve the established musical styles and lineage. Guru shishya parampara, the teacher-student tradition helped it evolve with slightly reshaping its identity. Every great artist who comes from the lineage introduces some technical refinements and stylistic changes.

Modern times have brought out the idea of cross-Gharana influence. This gave the possibilities of finding new sub-systems of teaching and performing. We know that these schools of teaching developed in the royal court , now these music Gharanas in India adapt concert performances, recordings and are suitable for global audiences.

Final Thoughts!

The legacy and the teachings preserve Indian Classical Music. Each style and tradition tell us a unique story. Let’s continue to inspire the generations to come ensuring the rich heritage and individuality. To discover the rich traditions of Hindustani classical music, go ahead and book a free demo with Musicmaster today!