Annapurna Devi, a celebrated Hindustani music artist, recently passed away age of 92. Known as an iconic, albeit famously elusive performer on the surbahar, or bass sitar, her contributions to the world of music were substantial. Born as the daughter of Ustad Allauddin Khan, the founder of the esteemed Maihar gharana, she was steeped in musical traditions from an early age. Her talents were recognized nationally when she became a recipient of the prestigious Padma Bhushan award.
The Gharanas: Pillars of Tradition
A key feature of classical Hindustani music is the rich tradition of Gharanas, or musical styles, which serve as the cornerstone of education and training in this art form. Each Gharana possesses distinct features that set it apart. Some popular Gharanas include Gwalior Gharana, Agra Gharana, Indore Gharana, and the Jaipur Gharana.
| Gharana | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Gwalior Gharana | Focused on simplicity, clarity in notes and a systematic development of ragas. |
| Agra Gharana | Is appreciated for its extensive use of sargam and layakari (innovate play with tempo). |
| Indore Gharana | Known for complex tonal phrases, maintaining balance between rhythm and raga. |
| Jaipur Gharana | Famous for its intricate presentation of ragas, along with the emphasis on emotion. |
Vocal Centricity: The Heart of Hindustani Music
Hindustani classical music is well-known for being primarily vocal-centric. It is characterized by a variety of vocal forms, including Khayal, Ghazal, Dhrupad, Dhammar, Tarana, and Thumri.
Dhrupad, traditionally performed by male singers, features lyrics in medieval Hindi that are typically heroic or devotional in theme. Khayal, a more free-form style, involves improvisation around 4-8 lines of lyrics set to a tune.
Tarana songs, often performed towards the end of a concert, convey a sense of joy, while Thumris – informal and likely rooted in the court of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, Nawab of Oudh – offer a softer, romantic touch to the repertoire.
Originally a Persian vocal form, Ghazal has found its place as an essential part of Hindustani Music. The Ghazal exists in multiple variations, including folk and pop forms, and typically tackles themes of love, joy, and devotion.