Delhi gharana

The Delhi Gharana, alongside the Punjab Gharana, is the oldest of the tabla gharanas, founded in North India by Ustad Siddhar (or Sudhar) Khan Dhadhi during the early 18th century. Marking a clear distinction from the pakhawaj, it is also called "Do unglion ka baaj" (two fingers style) due to nearly exclusive use of index and middle fingers on the center and edge of the dayan (right hand drum). It has come up with two notable inventions based on improvisation rules : Peshkar and Kaida.

Because most of its sounds are moderately resonant (like in the Ajrada Gharana), it is classified with this latter in the "Bandh baaj" group (closed style), contrary to the "Khula baaj" (open style) which regroups the four resonant Gharanas of Punjab, Lucknow, Farrukhabad and Banaras.

Many composition patterns of this school have quickly become standards and are among the first pieces taught to learners, whatever their gharana.

Mid-18th century onwards, both the third and fourth generation descendants of Siddhar Khan founded the Lucknow and Ajrada Gharanas.

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 (hand drums player), was responsible for incorporating pakhawaj bols (syllables) 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 (left-hand bass drum) strokes in favor of lighter, more precise strokes. Bols such as dha, tita (tite), 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 (1875–1940), Gamay Khan (1883–1958), Ustad Munnu Khan (the three brothers) and Ustad Gamay Khan's son Ustad Inam Ali Khan(1924–1986), his son Gulam Haider khan, and Asif Ali khan, Pandit Chatur Lal (1924–1966), Ustad Latif Ahmed Khan (1942-1989) and his sons Akbar Latif Khan and Babar Latif Khan [1], Ustad Fiyaz Khan (1934–12 November 2014), Ustad Anthony Das (Died 12/03/2004) Pandit Subhash Nirwan(1953-2014) and his son Suraj Nirwan, Ustad Shafaat Ahmed Khan(20 May 1954 – 24 July 2005), Ustad Shakeel Ahmed Khan, Cassius Khan.