Gharana

The term Gharana is very important and unique topic in the field of music – both vocal and instrumental. It is a term used to describe an important style of music. 

Oral tradition or the unwritten tradition developed in India through generations based on the teachings that pupils received directly from their masters (Guru). Be it music, dance, painting or architecture it is rooted in some oral tradition. Not only the Arts, for instance, various other disciplines like Mathematics, Medicine, Astrology, Astronomy, Religion, Tantra or Languages were orally transmitted from the masters to their pupils.

Music can be learnt only through Guru-Shishya Parampara, without which music cannot be preserved. Only in Sangeet one can observe the closeness of a student and Guru. If we did not have families following our musical tradition, then the ancestral property of our music would not have been safe. A Guru is considered as practitioner of Naad-Brahm who on understanding and experiencing Naad can guide his or her pupil on its secrets and differences.

Let us now understand the meaning of Gharana, its discerning features and the various Gharanas that flourished in India in the Vocal and Instrumental Music.