Delhi gharana

The Delhi or Dilli Gharana, is a tabla discipleship tradition known for being the oldest.^[1] This tradition was founded by Sidhar Khan Dhadi in the early-18th Century. The tradition is regarded for establishing a distinction from pakhawaj repertoire, "do ungliyon ka baaj" (two-finger style), and contributing improvisation conventions like peshkar and kayada.^[2] Heirs of this gharana went on to establish other traditions like Lucknow gharana, Ajrada gharana, and Farukhabad gharana.

History edit

Origins edit

Delhi Gharana was founded by Dhadi in the early-18th Century. Sometimes referred to as the inventor of the tabla,^[3] Sidhar Khan Dhadi is the earliest available name associated with tabla in historical records.^[4] He was initially a pakhawaj player from the tradition of Lala Bhavanidas.

Aesthetics edit

Technique edit

Considered a moderately resonant style (like Ajrada), the Delhi gharana is classified with the "bandh baaj" (closed style) rather than the "khula baaj" (open style) of Punjab and Farukhabad.^[5]

Repertoire edit

Delhi gharana is reputed for its vast repertoire of kayadas.

Musicality edit

Delhi gharana values sound quality that:^[6]

Avoids overuse of the Bayan.
Light, precise strokes (bols).
Soft and esoteric temperament and style of playing.
Strokes like "dha," "tita," "tirakita," and "tinakena" are prominent.

Legacy edit

Sidhar Khan Dhadi and his descendants contributed greatly to the development of the tabla language, compositional structures of the peshkars and kayadas.^[7] Many compositions from this school are standard and introductory repertoire taught to students of all tabla gharanas.

References edit

^ Gottlieb, Robert S. (1993). Solo Tabla Drumming of North India: Inam Ali Khan, Keramatullah Khan, and Wajid Hussain. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. p. 49. ISBN 9788120810938.
^ R̥shitosha, Kumāra (2015). Tabale kā udgama evaṃ Dillī gharānā: prācīna bandiśoṃ kā sañcayana. Kanishka Pabliśarsa, Ḍisṭrībyūṭarsa. ISBN 9788184576450.
^ Saṅgīt Mahābhāratī (2011). The Oxford Encyclopaedia of the Music of India. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195650983.
^ The Oxford Encyclopaedia of the Music of India. Oxford University Press. 8 February 2011. doi:10.1093/acref/9780195650983.001.0001. ISBN 978-0-19-565098-3. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
^ Pradhan, Aneesh. "Listen: Tabla performances by maestros of the Delhi gharana, where it all began". Scroll.in. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
^ Wegner, Gert-Matthias; Vintage Tabla Repertory, Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi, 2004.
^ 'Tabla playing lessons described and made easy' of Delhi gharana on YouTube uploaded 24 Feb 2014, retrieved 15 January 2022

[1] Gottlieb, Robert S. (1993). Solo Tabla Drumming of North India: Inam Ali Khan, Keramatullah Khan, and Wajid Hussain. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. p. 49. ISBN 9788120810938.

[2] R̥shitosha, Kumāra (2015). Tabale kā udgama evaṃ Dillī gharānā: prācīna bandiśoṃ kā sañcayana. Kanishka Pabliśarsa, Ḍisṭrībyūṭarsa. ISBN 9788184576450.

[3] Saṅgīt Mahābhāratī (2011). The Oxford Encyclopaedia of the Music of India. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195650983.

[4] The Oxford Encyclopaedia of the Music of India. Oxford University Press. 8 February 2011. doi:10.1093/acref/9780195650983.001.0001. ISBN 978-0-19-565098-3. Retrieved 8 February 2022.

[5] Pradhan, Aneesh. "Listen: Tabla performances by maestros of the Delhi gharana, where it all began". Scroll.in. Retrieved 8 February 2022.

[6] Wegner, Gert-Matthias; Vintage Tabla Repertory, Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi, 2004.

[7] 'Tabla playing lessons described and made easy' of Delhi gharana on YouTube uploaded 24 Feb 2014, retrieved 15 January 2022

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]