Patiala Gharana
The very mention of Patiala gharana will bring to mind a towering personality in the field of Hindustani classical music – Bade Ghulam Ali Khan.
This gharana was founded by Ustad Fateh Ali Khan and Ustad Ali Baksh Khan. Foremost among their disciples were brothers Ali Baksh Khan and Kale Khan. Bade Ghulam Ali Khan is the son of Ali Baksh Khan.
Patiala gharana became quite well-known primarily because of Bade Ghulam Ali Khan’s fame as a musician.
His full-throated voice with intricate patterns and ease had a universal appeal. He not only sang the khayal compositions well but was also known for his contribution to thumri singing.
Musicologists believe that the Patiala gharana vocalism drew its inspiration and style from sarangi, the string instrument. The singing has elements of sargam, fast tans and other embellishments.
Bade Ghulam Ali Khan’s brothers Barkat Ali Khan and Munawwar Ali Khan were the other famous musicians of this gharana.
Torchbearers of this gharana include Ajoy Chakraborty.
Rampur Sahaswan Gharan
The founder of this gharana is Inayat Hussain Khan who was a musician in the court of Rampur king. His sons in- law Mushtaque Hussain Khan and Nissar Hussain Khan continued his tradition contributing to the musical heritage of this gharana. The style of singing in this gharana focuses on elaborating the raga through a gradual process. Some musicologists believe that the Rampur Sahaswan style of singing is similar to Gwalior for the fullthroatedness, medium-slow tempo and intricate rhythm.
Torchbearers of the gharana include Rashid Khan.
Mewati Gharana
This gharana was founded by Ghagge Nazir Khan. But the gharana gained popularity after Jasraj came on stage as a vocalist. He is also known to have revived and popularised this gharana.
This style of singing draws much from the Gwalior gharana. In its process of development it was influenced by religious verses.
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Latha Venkatraman
The writer is an independent journalist and a student of music.[/column]