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

Origins

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

Technique

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

Delhi gharana is reputed for its vast repertoire of kayadas.

Musicality

Delhi gharana values sound quality that:[6]

Legacy

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

  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

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