Gharana
There is a rich tradition of Gharanas in classical Hindustani music. These schools or Gharanas have their basis in the traditional mode of musical training and education. Every Gharana has its own distinct features.
Agra Gharana:- The Agra Gharana places great importance on developing forcefulness and deepness in the voice, so that the notes are powerful and resonant founded by Haji Sujan Khan.
Exponents: Faiyyaz Khan, Latafat Hussain Khan, Dinkar Kaikini and Lalith Rao
Banaras Gharana:- The Banaras Gharana evolved as a result of great tilting style of khayal singing known by Thumri singers of Banaras and Gaya. Founded by Pt Gopal Mishra.
Exponents: Rajan Mishra and Sajan Mishra.
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Delhi Gharana:- The Delhi Gharana was represented by Tanras Khan and Shabbu Khan. The highlights of Delhi Gharana are pleasing vistaar and exquisite compositions. Founded by Ustad Mamman Khan and Mia Siddhar Khan Dhaadi.
Exponents: Chand Khan, Nasir Ahmed Khan, Usman Khan, Iqbal Ahmed Khan and Krishna Bisht.
Gwalior Gharana:- This is the oldest among all the Khayal Gayaki (vocal) styles. Its distinctive feature is its lucidity and simplicity. It is founded by Hassu Khan and Nathu Khan.
Exponents: Balakrishna, Buva Ichalkaranjikar, Vinayakrao Patwardhan, Vishnu Digambar Palsukar, D.V.Paluskar, Narayan Rao Vyas, Omkarnath Thakur, Malini Rajurkar, Veena Sahasrabuddhe, Sunanda Patnaik, Ram Marathe, Rajubhaya Poochwale, Krishna Rao Shankar Pandit and Ulhas Kashalkar.
Kirana Gharana:- It derives its name from the birth-place 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.
Exponents: Sawai Gandharva, Gangubai Hangal, Bhimsen Joshi, Hirabai Barodekar, Basavaraj Rajguru Rasiklal Andharia, Prabha Atre, Phiroz Dastur, Saraswati Rane, Jitendra Abhisheki and Nachiketa Sharma.
Rampur Sahaswan Gharana:- In Rampur Sahaswan Gharana, there is a stress on the clarity of swara and the development and elaboration of the raga is done through a stepwise progression. Founded by Inayat Khan.
Exponents: Nisar Husain Khan, Ghulam Mustafa Khan, Rashid Khan, Sulochana Brihaspati
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Patiala Gharana:- Founded by Inayat Khan. Regarded as an off-shoot of the Delhi Gharana, the Patiala Gharana is characterised by the use of greater rhythm play and by Layakari with the abundant use of Bols, particularly Bol tans founded by ustad Fateh Ali Khan.
Exponents: Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Munawar Ali Khan, Raza Ali Khan, Ajoy Parveen, Sultana, Begum Akhtar, Naina Devi, Nirmala Devi and Lakshmi
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.
Exponents: Motiram, Maniram, Jasraj, Pratap Narayan, Sanjeev Abhyankar