Introducing Music Gharanas

Kirana Gharana – the founders of this gharana were Abdul Wahid Khan and Abdul Karim Khan. Glitterati of music personalities belong to this prod gharana. The names include, Bhimsen Joshi, Prabha Atre, Hirabhai Barodekar, Begum Akhtar and Gangubai Hangal to name a few. The origin of this gharana can be traced to birthplace of its founder, Abdul Kharim Khan who was born in a place called Kirana in Kurukshetra. The main element of this Gharanas is the way notes are sung. Emotional elemnt is focused upon by interesting usage of swara through elongation and use of Kana-s.

Gwalior Gharana uses Khayal Gayaki styles. One of the oldest gharanas, the style of singing focuses more on simplicity of the art. Ustad Nathu Khan, Ustad Hassu Khan, and Ustad Haddu Khan were founders of this famous gharana. Famous artists belonging to this gharanas are, Bal Krishna BaIchal Karanjikar, Malini Rajurkar, Pandit Omkarnath Thakur, Vishnu Digambar Paluskar, and Veena Sahasrabuddhe etc.

Delhi Gharana - Ustad Mamman Khan created this gharana and proudly represented by classical names like Shabbu khan and Tanras Khan. Names like Krishna Bisht, Nasir Ahmed Khan, Iqbal Ahmed Khan, Chand Khan and Usman Khan etc have represented this gharana. The singing style of this tradition is known because of delicate symphony and gratifying vistaar.

Agra Gharana- Founded by Ustad Ghagghe Khuda Baksh and Haji Sujan Khan, this gharana has given us exponents like Latafat Hussein Khan, Dinkar Kakini and Faiyyaz Khan. The specialty about the singing style of the gharana was emphasis on potent and reverberating notes and deepness in the voice.