Introduction:
Varanasi, also known as Banaras or Kashi, is not only a spiritual epicenter but also a cradle of Indian classical music. The Banaras Gharana, a distinguished school of Hindustani music, has shaped the city’s musical identity for centuries. Renowned for its contributions to thumri, khayal, and tabla, the Banaras Gharana blends melody, rhythm, and spiritual depth, reflecting the cultural richness of this ancient city.
Additional Information
Historical Roots of Banaras Music
The musical traditions of Varanasi trace back to ancient times, with legends attributing the development of music and dance to Lord Shiva, the city’s divine patron. The Banaras Gharana began taking shape 600–700 years ago, influenced by musicians from regions like Azamgarh, Bhagalpur, and Lucknow. Over time, the gharana evolved, incorporating local folk styles such as chaiti and kajri, and fostering unique forms like Banarasi thumri, dadra, and bhajans.
In the 19th century, Pandit Ram Sahai founded the Banaras tabla gharana, revolutionizing tabla playing with a versatile style suited for both delicate khyal accompaniment and robust dhrupad or kathak dance performances. His innovative fingering techniques, particularly the resonant "Na" sound, and new compositional forms like uthan and Benarasi theka, set the gharana apart.
In the 19th century, Pandit Ram Sahai founded the Banaras tabla gharana, revolutionizing tabla playing with a versatile style suited for both delicate khyal accompaniment and robust dhrupad or kathak dance performances. His innovative fingering techniques, particularly the resonant "Na" sound, and new compositional forms like uthan and Benarasi theka, set the gharana apart.
Key Features of the Banaras Gharana
The Banaras Gharana is celebrated for its intricate blend of melody and rhythm. Its thumri style, known as bol banav thumri, emphasizes lyrical expression through musical embellishments, often borrowing from Uttar Pradesh’s folk traditions. The gharana’s compositions feature slower tempos, poise, and restraint, distinguishing them from other schools. The bandish-ki-thumri, a fast-paced composition in teentala, is a distinctive contribution, blending dance rhythms with vocal artistry.
Tabla playing in the Banaras Gharana is marked by bol-bant (rhythmic articulation), layakari (rhythmic variations), and intricate taans. The gharana’s music often incorporates spiritual themes, with bhajans and kirtans reflecting Varanasi’s devotional ethos.
Tabla playing in the Banaras Gharana is marked by bol-bant (rhythmic articulation), layakari (rhythmic variations), and intricate taans. The gharana’s music often incorporates spiritual themes, with bhajans and kirtans reflecting Varanasi’s devotional ethos.
Legendary Musicians of Banaras
Varanasi has produced iconic musicians who have elevated Indian classical music globally:
Pandit Ravi Shankar: A Bharat Ratna recipient, his sitar mastery brought Indian music to the world stage.
Ustad Bismillah Khan: The shehnai maestro, also honored with the Bharat Ratna, infused spiritual depth into his performances.
Pandit Shivnath Mishra: Founder of the first sitar gharana of Banaras, he developed the "singing sitar" style, blending dhrupad, dhamar, khayal, and thumri.
Pandit Kishan Maharaj: A tabla legend, his innovative style carried forward the Banaras Gharana’s legacy.
Girija Devi: Known as the "Thumri Queen," she epitomized the Banarasi thumri’s emotional depth.
Pandit Ravi Shankar: A Bharat Ratna recipient, his sitar mastery brought Indian music to the world stage.
Ustad Bismillah Khan: The shehnai maestro, also honored with the Bharat Ratna, infused spiritual depth into his performances.
Pandit Shivnath Mishra: Founder of the first sitar gharana of Banaras, he developed the "singing sitar" style, blending dhrupad, dhamar, khayal, and thumri.
Pandit Kishan Maharaj: A tabla legend, his innovative style carried forward the Banaras Gharana’s legacy.
Girija Devi: Known as the "Thumri Queen," she epitomized the Banarasi thumri’s emotional depth.
Cultural Significance and Modern Initiatives
Varanasi’s musical heritage is preserved through institutions like the Banaras Hindu University’s Faculty of Performing Arts and the Academy of Indian Classical Music, which uphold the guru-shishya tradition. The city’s "Music Pathway," a 1.5-km corridor playing Banaras Gharana music, is a recent initiative to celebrate this legacy, featuring portraits and biographies of renowned musicians.
Festivals like the Dhrupad Mela, Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh, and Kajri and Thumri Utsav showcase Varanasi’s musical vibrancy, attracting global audiences. In 2015, UNESCO recognized Varanasi as a "City of Music" under its Creative Cities Network, affirming its global cultural significance.
Festivals like the Dhrupad Mela, Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh, and Kajri and Thumri Utsav showcase Varanasi’s musical vibrancy, attracting global audiences. In 2015, UNESCO recognized Varanasi as a "City of Music" under its Creative Cities Network, affirming its global cultural significance.
Preserving the Legacy
The Banaras Gharana continues to thrive in Kabir Chaura, Varanasi’s "mohalla of musicians," where maestros like Pt. Puran Maharaj train budding artists. The gharana’s influence extends beyond classical music, inspiring modern fusion projects like Indian Ocean’s work in the film Masaan, which captured Banaras’s rooted yet evolving musical ethos.
Conclusion
The Banaras Gharana is a testament to Varanasi’s enduring role as a cultural and musical hub. Its blend of classical rigor, folk influences, and spiritual resonance continues to inspire artists and audiences worldwide. From ancient legends to modern festivals, Banaras remains a living symphony, echoing the soul of India’s musical heritage.