Delhi gharana


The Delhi or Dilli Gharana, is a tabla traditional playing style, "regarded by many as the fountainhead of all the tabla gharanas" and known for being the first and oldest gharana playing style of tabla. It also is one of the six most common styles of playing of the Hindustani tabla.
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, and contributing improvisation conventions like peshkar and qayada. Heirs of this gharana went on to establish other traditions like Punjab gharana, Lucknow gharana, Ajrada gharana, Farukhabad gharana and Benares gharana.

History

Origins

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

Aesthetics

Technique

Considered a moderately resonant style, the Delhi gharana is classified with the "bandh baaj" rather than the "khula baaj" of Punjab gharana and Farukhabad gharana.

Repertoire

Delhi gharana is reputed for its vast repertoire of qayadas - a structured improvisation consisting of a theme and variations.

Musicality

Delhi gharana values sound quality that:
  • Avoids overuse of the Bayan.
  • Light, precise strokes.
  • Soft and esoteric temperament and style of playing.
  • Strokes like "dha," "tita," "tirakita," and "tinakena" are prominent.

Legacy

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

Exponents

A few notable masters of this school are Ustad Nathu Khan, Gamay Khan, Ustad Munnu Khan and Ustad Gamay Khan's son Ustad Inam Ali Khan, his son Gulam Haider Khan, and Asif Ali Khan, Pandit Chatur Lal, Ustad Latif Ahmed Khan and his sons Akbar Latif Khan and Babar Latif Khan, as well as Canadian tabla player and vocalist Cassius Khan.

18th Century

Sidhar Khan Dhadi, founder of gharana
  • Chand Khan, son and disciple of Chhote KhanMiyan Bakshu Ji, nephew and disciple of Siddhar Khan Dhadi. Founder of Lucknow gharana
  • Ghasit Khan, son and disciple of Siddhar Khan DhadiMiru Khan, disciple of Sitaab Khan. Co-founder of Ajrada gharanaKallu Khan, disciple of Sitaab Khan. Co-founder of Ajrada gharana
  • Roshan Khan

19th Century

20th Century

  • Natthu Khan
  • Inam Ali Khan, son and disciple of Gami Khan
  • Nikhil Ghosh
  • Ustad Latif Ahmed Khan, disciple of Gami Khan, and Inam Ali Khan
  • Chatur Lal, disciple of Haji Mohammad Khan and Hafiz Miyan
  • Asif Ali Khan, son and disciple of Abdul Hameed Khan. Also learned from Tufail Khan
  • Faiyaz Khan, disciple of Inam Ali Khan
  • , son and disciple of Chhamma Khan.