Banaras Gharana: Legacy of Rhythm, Melody, and Devotion
The city of Varanasi—also known as Banaras or Kashi—has been one of the greatest cultural and spiritual centers of India for millennia. Situated on the banks of the holy Ganga, the city is not only a sacred pilgrimage site but also a cradle of music, dance, and performance traditions. Among its most celebrated contributions to Indian classical heritage is the Banaras Gharana, a school of artistic expression that spans tabla, Kathak dance, and Hindustani vocal music.
The word gharana literally means “house” or “lineage” and refers to a style or tradition in classical music and dance that is preserved and developed by generations of teachers and disciples. Each gharana has a distinct philosophy, repertoire, and technical specialty. The Banaras Gharana stands apart because it beautifully blends devotion, storytelling, rhythm, and aesthetics, reflecting the essence of Kashi itself.
Origins of the Banaras Gharana
The Banaras Gharana developed between the 18th and 19th centuries, when the city was thriving as a hub of saints, poets, and musicians. Patronized by local kings, noble families, and temple traditions, the gharana evolved in three major directions: tabla, Kathak dance, and vocal music. Each branch had its pioneers who codified techniques and compositions that remain influential to this day.
What unites all these streams is the underlying philosophy of Banaras itself—where art is not merely entertainment but a spiritual practice, a medium to connect with the divine.
The Banaras Gharana of Tabla
The Banaras Tabla Gharana was founded by Pandit Ram Sahai (1780–1826). After learning in Lucknow, he returned to Banaras and developed his own style of playing that emphasized clarity, strength, and resonance.
Distinctive Features
- Strong, open-handed playing with a deep tonal quality.
- Compositions such as tukras, parans, and chakradars designed to dazzle audiences while retaining devotional grounding.
- Special use of resonant bols like Na, Dhin, and Ge, giving the tabla a majestic sound.
- A balance between solo playing and accompaniment, particularly for Kathak dance.
Great Exponents
- Pandit Anokhelal Mishra – known for his powerful playing.
- Pandit Samta Prasad – renowned for his solo mastery.
- Pandit Kishan Maharaj – blended tradition with innovation.
- Pandit Kumar Bose – contemporary master of the tradition.
The Banaras tabla style is today considered one of the six major tabla gharanas of India, alongside Delhi, Ajrada, Lucknow, Punjab, and Farukhabad.
The Banaras Gharana of Kathak
The Banaras (also called Janakiprasad) Gharana of Kathak dance was established by Janakiprasad in the 19th century. Unlike the Lucknow gharana, which emphasized romance and grace, or the Jaipur gharana, which emphasized vigor, the Banaras style is rooted in devotion and storytelling.
Unique Aspects
- Heavy emphasis on abhinaya (expressive acting) to narrate mythological tales.
- Use of natwari bols—syllables said to originate from Krishna’s dance.
- Temple tradition: earlier performances were often in spiritual contexts, rather than in royal courts.
- Rhythmic innovations such as paran (derived from pakhawaj) and tihai (rhythmic patterns repeated three times).
Notable Performers
- Sitara Devi – hailed as the “Empress of Kathak,” brought Banaras style to global recognition.
- Sunayana Hazarilal – one of the few custodians of the Janakiprasad tradition today.
- Other contemporary dancers are keeping the gharana alive through workshops and performances worldwide.
The Banaras Kathak style is known for its spiritual energy, with the dancer often seen as an offering to the gods rather than just a stage performer.
The Banaras Gharana of Vocal Music
Varanasi has always been one of the most sacred cities for Hindustani vocal music, particularly for devotional and semi-classical forms. The Banaras vocal gharana does not limit itself to khayal but has produced legends in dhrupad, thumri, dadra, chaiti, kajri, and tappa.
Signature Contribution: The Poorab Ang Thumri
The Banaras style of Thumri, known as Poorab Ang, is deeply emotional, lyrical, and devotional. Unlike other forms that may emphasize sensuality, the Banaras thumri leans toward bhakti (devotion), often portraying Krishna and Radha’s divine love.
Famous Exponents
- Siddheshwari Devi – “Thumri Queen” of Banaras.
- Girija Devi – elevated thumri to classical concert status.
- Rasoolan Bai and Badi Moti Bai – preserved traditional thumri and dadra.
- Channulal Mishra – contemporary master of classical and semi-classical forms.
Besides thumri, Banaras is also associated with folk-inspired styles such as chaiti, kajri, and hori, which are often sung during seasonal festivals.
Philosophical Underpinnings
The Banaras Gharana, whether in tabla, dance, or vocal, is united by a deeper philosophy of art as sadhana (spiritual practice). In Banaras, music and dance are not just for courtly entertainment but are offerings to the divine, often performed in temples, on the ghats, and in intimate gatherings. The emphasis is always on bhava (emotion), rasa (aesthetic flavor), and devotion.
This makes the gharana uniquely spiritual in character, setting it apart from other gharanas that developed more in courtly or royal settings.
The Banaras Gharana in Modern Times
Today, the Banaras Gharana continues to thrive through concerts, festivals, and academic research. Varanasi hosts numerous music conferences and festivals, such as the Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh and Ganga Mahotsav, where artists from the gharana perform.
With global interest in Indian classical arts, disciples from across the world are now learning Banaras tabla, Kathak, and thumri. At the same time, digital platforms have made it possible for rare recordings of great masters to reach new audiences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Banaras Gharana
Q1. What is the Banaras Gharana?
The Banaras Gharana is a school of Indian classical music and dance that originated in Varanasi. It is especially famous for its traditions in tabla playing, Kathak dance, and vocal music such as thumri and dadra.
Q2. Who founded the Banaras Gharana of tabla?
The Banaras tabla gharana was founded by Pandit Ram Sahai (1780–1826), who developed a unique style characterized by clarity, resonance, and powerful compositions.
Q3. What is unique about Banaras Kathak Gharana?
The Banaras Kathak style, also called the Janakiprasad gharana, is known for devotional storytelling, expressive abhinaya (acting), and the use of natwari bols. It focuses on narrating mythological tales and often connects performances with spiritual traditions.
Q4. Which vocal forms are associated with the Banaras Gharana?
Banaras is most famous for Poorab Ang Thumri, a soulful and devotional style of singing. Other associated forms include dadra, chaiti, kajri, hori, and tappa.
Q5. Who are some famous artists of the Banaras Gharana?
- Tabla: Pt. Anokhelal Mishra, Pt. Samta Prasad, Pt. Kishan Maharaj, Pt. Kumar Bose.
- Kathak: Sitara Devi, Sunayana Hazarilal.
- Vocal: Girija Devi, Siddheshwari Devi, Rasoolan Bai, Channulal Mishra.
Q6. What philosophy guides the Banaras Gharana?
Unlike some other gharanas that evolved in royal courts, the Banaras Gharana grew in temples and spiritual settings. Its guiding philosophy is that music and dance are forms of sadhana (spiritual practice) and offerings to the divine.
Q7. Is the Banaras Gharana still active today?
Yes. The tradition continues strongly through disciples, global performances, and festivals like the Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh in Varanasi. With digital platforms, the gharana’s reach has grown worldwide.
Conclusion
The Banaras Gharana is not just a school of performance; it is the soul of Varanasi’s cultural heritage. Whether through the thunderous bols of the tabla, the graceful storytelling of Kathak, or the soulful rendering of thumri, the gharana reflects the eternal spirit of Banaras—where art, devotion, and life merge seamlessly. Its resilience across centuries shows that while forms may evolve, the essence of devotion through music and dance will always remain timeless.
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