Jaipur Gharana...

There is a rich tradition of Gharanas in classical Hindustani music. The music Gharanas are also called styles. These schools or Gharanas have their unique styles in the traditional mode of musical training and education. Every Gharana has its own distinct features. The main area of difference between Gharanas is the manner in which the notes are sung. The concept of a Guru- Shishya parampara leads to the development of Gharanas.
         It is considered that this gharana was brought to life by Ustaad Alladiya Khan. Ustaad Alladiya

Ustaad Alladiya Khan

Khan was a resident of Uniyara, a small place in Rajasthan. His forefathers were also musicians. They were dhrupadiyas. But Ustaad ji himself started singing khayals and he taught his sons and disciples khayal. His main disciples were his famous younger brother Haider Khan, Bhaskarbuwa Bakhale and his own sons. It is said that the gayaki of his forefathers were similar to that of the gwalior gharana gayaki. It is also said that Ustad Ji himself sang his fore fathers' gayaki at younger age, it was later that he switched to khayal gayaki. Ustad Jee would practice for so long time that his voice started to crack. Everyone started believing that he could not continue singing anymore. But he went to jodhpur and a hakim treated him and gradually his voice started becoming like before. Since, he was treated in the state of Rajasthan so he named the gharana "Jaipur gharana".
    The gharana which gave our country some of the finest musicians like Vidushi Kishori Amonkar, Vidushi Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, Vidushi Kesarbai Kerkar and many more
   Now lets talk about the gayaki of this gharana. What are it's specialties? The gharana is characterised by the low tempo aalapchari like dhrupad. It is also known for the small bol tans. In Jaipur gayaki the words of bandishes are pronounced with so much of sweetness that the listeners are instantly connected to the singer. Not only are the notes sung in rhythm with the taal but progress between the matras (beats) is in fractions of quarters and one-eighths. While being mindful of so many factors, musicians of this gharana still have a graceful way of arriving at the sam without having matras to spare!  At last I would conclude with these lines that very few gharanas pay so much attention to the esthetics and laykaari in singing bol-alaaps and bol-taans Jaipur gharana is one of them which has paid such attention.

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Sing to express not to impress...

"Sing to express not to impress"- These were the words of a legend who left us a few days back. I was awestruck by the news of the death of Vidushi Kishori Amonkar,one of the finest vocalist India ever produced. I have heard some of the veterans of classical music like Pt Jasraj, Ustad Rashid Khan, Pt Rajan Sajan Mishra, Vidwan TN Krishnan etc live but still I feel very unfortunate that I couldn't hear the legend Padma Vibhushan Kishori Amonkar live.  A person who didn't like interviews just because she thought that it was a waste of time and took her important time from her riyaz. A legend who was considered of the gold standards in the music. She learnt music from her mother, the legendary vocalist, Mogubai Kurdikar, of Ustad Alladiya Khan’s Jaipur Atrauli gharana. Her voice traveled three octaves and she delivered the micro notes (shruties) beautifully as per the tradition of her gharana. She considered that the music starts from a note and not from a raga. She considered music as a way to express herself. 

    I recently heard her singing ‘Pratham Sur Saadhe’ on youtube in raag Bhoop, a raag created by her. After listening to that I can definitely say one thing that sur was her sadhna. Vidushi Kishori Amonkar had a personal interest in ghazals. She was a great fan of the famous ghazal maestro Mehndi Hasan.

   Temperamental, a musical genius, purist, unparallel –Vidushi  Kishori Amonkar would be 85 today if she was living today. She left us almost a week ago and whole nation mourned on her death. She was a perfectionist and she would not leave the green room before the concert until the tanpuras were tuned to her satisfaction. She was awarded by Padma Bhusan in 1987, Padma Vibushan in 1987, Sangeet Natak Academy Award in 1985 and also the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 2009. Vidushi Kishori Amonkar was also one of the seven artists who were awarded by the M.S. Subbulakshmi Award for classical music.

   At last on her birthday I pay my tribute to this great musical genius and artist. Though she has left us but she will always remain alive in the hearts of the music lovers across the globe through her music. Her music is immortal. Mahro Pranam!!