Delhi gharana


The Delhi Gharana is the oldest of the tabla gharanas and the first to establish improvisation rules. It was founded in North India and is one of the most common gharanas used today. The Purbi Gharana also originates from the eastern areas of Delhi.

History

Delhi Gharana was founded in the early 18th century most probably by Mia Siddhar Khan Dhadi, who is sometimes also referred to as the inventor of the tabla. Siddhar Khan is the earliest available name associated with tabla that is found in historical records. Siddhar Khan, having been a pakhawaj player, was responsible for incorporating pakhawaj bols to the style. However, the tabla, not the pakhawaj, is now the main instrument of the Delhi Gharana. Siddhar Khan and his descendants contributed greatly to the development of the Tabla language and compositional structures of the 'Peshkars' and the 'Kayadas'.

Playing style

The Delhi tabla style is famous for its vast and rich repertoire of Kayadas. Overall, the sound quality tends to focus on avoiding the overuse of loud, resonant baya strokes in favor of lighter, more precise strokes. Bols such as dha, tita, tirakita and tinnakinna are prominent. The temperament and style of playing is generally soft and esoteric.

Prominent 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, Chatur Lal, Ustad Latif Ahmed Khan, Ustad Fiyaz Khan, Ustad Shafaat Ahmed Khan Ustad Shamim Ahmed Khan and some prominent young masters are Shahbaaz Khan Son of Ustad Shakeel Ahmed Khan of tabla. Babar Latif and Akbar Latif Khan, the ghazal tabla artiste Cassius Khan Biography of Ustad Fiyaz Khan of Delhi gharana, and the Warsi Brothers. Also Ustad Ahmed Jan Thirakwa was also one of the most preeminent soloist from Delhi gharana.