Gharana Of Tabla

Gharanas of Tabla

Gharana of Tabla is a very vast area of discussion but here we are just trying to sum up in a few words via this very short article. Before starting a discussion about Gharanas of tabla. it is necessary to understand the phrase- Gharana. It can also be called a lineage or tradition. Just as a descendant takes over the form of a family, in the same way when a Playing-Style, Guru-Shishya(Teacher-Disciple) Tradition grows it forms a Gharana.

 A total of six Gharanas of Tabla were recognized in Indian Music - Delhi Gharana, Ajrada Gharana, Lucknow Gharana, Farukhabad Gharana, Banaras Gharana, and Punjab Gharana. All of these Gharanas are different from each other on the basis of playing style, lesson, and execution of Bols. However, they belong to the same instrument. Let us now discuss the Origin, Development, and Characteristics of these Gharanas.

Delhi Gharana

The foundation of this Gharana was laid by Ustad Siddhar Khan Dhadhi. The name of his pupils, U. Roshan Khan, U. Kallu Khan, U. Tullon Khan, and three sons U.Bugra Khan, U. Ghasita Khan, and their third son’s name was not found in records but his name is being known to take this Guru-disciple tradition forward. This third son of Siddhar Khan had three sons – U. Makku Khan, U. Modu Khan, and U. Bakhshu Khan. Who had played a very important role in the history of Delhi Gharana. U. Nathu Khan, U. Kale Khan, U. Boli Baksh, U.Gami Khan, U. Inam Ali, U. Latif Ahmed Khan, U. Anthony Das, U. Gurpreet Singh, etc. Many qualified tabla players, this Gharana has given.

In Delhi Gharana First and Middle Finger has a very important role in Playing that is why it is also known as ‘Kinar Ka Baaj’. Peshkar, Kayda, and Rela are mostly used. Most of the compositions of this Gharana are in ‘Chatrsat Jati’. This Gharana of Tabla is ideal for Solo Performance.

Kayda

Dhati	Dhage	Nadha	Titkit	Dhati	Dhage	Tina	Kina
Tati	Take	Nata	Titkit	Dhati	Dhage	Dhina	Gina

 

Ajrada Gharana

There is a Village named Ajrada in Meerut. There were Kallu Khan and Meeru Khan, who were brothers. They learnt Tabla from Ustad Sitaab Khan and went back to their home town. Where they thought many disciples and with their untiring efforts, they laid the foundation of a new gharana called ‘’Ajrada Gharana’’. U. Shammu Khan, U. Chand khan, U. Kale Khan, U. Habibuddin Khan, U. Manju Khan, U. Hashmat Khan, U. Akram Khan,etc. ... are the prominent artists of this Gharana.
The characteristic of this gharana is the use of Adi Laya, the phrases of this gharana are meant to be played in adi or devadi laya and faster than Delhi Gharana compositions. This makes their compositions more difficult to improvise and execute. The style of playing this gharana is similar to that of the Delhi Gharana. This gharana of tabla is suitable for both solo and accompaniment.

Kayda

DhaS	Ghetak	DhinDhi	NaGina	DhaTit	Ghetak	TinTi	NaKina
TaS	Ketak	TinTi	NaKina	DhaTit	Ghetak	DhinDhi	NaGina

 

Lucknow Gharana

This gharana is also a branch of Delhi Gharana. On the invitation of Nawab of Lucknow U.Modu Khan and U.Bakshu Khan of Delhi Gharana was sent to Lucknow, they created a new style named ‘Lucknow Gharana’ with their efforts and hard work. The influence of the musical and social environment of this region became the cause of innovation in their style, so that they laid the foundation of a new Gharana. U. Mohammad Khan, U. Abid Hussain, U. Wajid Hussain, U. Afaq Hussain, Pt. Hirendra Ganguly, etc. .. are in the elite cast of this Gharana.

On the culture of Lucknow, the very effect of dance is seen from the beginning, which has direct impact on the tabla masters. The playing style became stronger due to the accompaniment of the dance. In most of their compositions they use both Kinaar and Syahi.

 

Kayda

DhinGin	TakDhin	Nanakit	DhinGin	TakDhin	Nanakit	TakDhin	Nanakit
DhinGin	TakDhin	Nanakit	DhinGin	DhinGin	TakDhin	Nanakit	TinKina
TinKin	TakTin	Nanakit	TinKin	TakTin	Nanakit	TakTin	Nanakit
DhinGin	TakDhin	Nanakit	DhinGin	DhinGin	TakDhin	Nanakit	DhinGin

 

Farukhabad Gharana

This gharana came into existence when U. Bakshu Khan married his daughter to Haji Vilayat Ali of Farukhabad and gave him higher education of tabla. After that he created many disciples and recognized a new gharana. U. Imam Baksh, U. Hussein Ali Khan, U.Salari Khan, U. Munir Khan, U. Ahmed Jan Thirakwa, U. Amir Hussain, U. Karamat Ullah, U. Maseet Khan, U. Sabir Khan, etc. These are the most prominent artists of the Gharana.
Because this family was the branch of Lucknow, there is also a sense of style in the Gharana. Apart from this, gat, rau and chhands are also used in this Gharana.

Kayda

DhaTitkitDha	GhenaDhage	TinaSDha	GhenaDhage
Tinakina	DhaTitkitDha	GhenaDhage	Tinakina
TaTitkitTa	KenaTake	TinaSDha	GhenaDhage
Tinakina	DhaTitkitDha	GhenaDhage	Dhinagina

 

Banaras Gharana

Pandit Ram Sahai, the first tabla-player of this gharana, who got his education from U. Modu Khan of Lucknow and laid the foundation of the Banaras Gharana. Then his son Pt Bhairav ​​Sahai and grandson Pt Baldev Sahai and Great Grand Son Pt. Durga Sahai carried forward this lineage. Pandit Kanthe Maharaj, Pt. Kishan Maharaj, Pt Anokhe Lal, Pt. Bikku Ji, Pt Samta Prasad ji, etc. are the prominent artists of this Gharana.
This gharana of tabla is more famous for its accompaniment. In this style Laggi, Ladi, parn, rela, chakradar and chhand are most famous and used. This Gharana is the highest in terms of Thumri, Dance and Solo-Playing.

 

Tukda

DhageTit	TageTit	KrdhaSKr	dhaSKittak	DiSDiS	Nananana	KatitDha	SKaST
DhaSKat	DhaKatit	DhaSKaS	TdhaSKat	DhaSKati	tdhaSDha	SKaST	DhaSKat
Dha

 

Punjab Gharana

This gharana is different from the rest of the gharanas and its play-style seems to have developed independently. The foundation of this gharana was laid by U. Faqir Baqsh. U. Karm ilahi, U. Mallan Khan, U. Kadir Baksh, U. Allahrakha and their son U. Zakir Hussain are world famous artists of this Gharana. The play-style here is different from the rest of the Gharanas due to the effect of playing Pakhawaj. Here the work of Layaikari is specially used and appriciated.

All the above gharanas can be divided into two parts - Poorab and Paschim. Under Purab Baaj, the Lucknow Gharana, Benaras and Farukhabad falls in this category and Delhi Gharana and Ajrada Gharana falls under Paschim Baaj. Due to the development of Punjab Gharana itself, Punjab is different from these categories.

Tukda

Dhage	Tit	Tage	Tit	Dhage	Titkit	Tikta	Titkit
DhaS	Titkit	Tikta	Titkit	DhaS	Titkit	Tikta	Titkit
Dha