What do we mean by the tradition of Indian classical music?
Traditionally, Indian classical music in its various genres was taught in a strict guru-disciple manner (guru-shishya parampara). Often, but not always, knowledge was passed down between father and son. This manner of learning gave rise to different schools or styles known as gharanas, which literally means households or families.
Over time these gharanas became established styles in various forms of Indian music such as sitar, tabla and vocal. They were referred to by the locality or city in which their recognised founders established the particular style. It is now accepted that a musical tradition may only be referred to as a gharana when it has existed for at least three generations (Deshpande) and second that there are significant stylistic differences in musical approach that separate that style from another established school.
In vocal music Gwalior, Jaipur, Kirana, Agra, Patiala, Rampur-Sahaswan and Mewati gharana are well accepted whilst in tabla an artist's roots can be traced back to Delhi, Lucknow, Farukhabad, Punjab, Benares or Ajrada gharanas. Other instruments such as sitar and sarod also have their own well-established schools.
Etiquettes relating to learning and performance may also be loosely considered as traditional as well as simply those traditions of Indian music that relate to its historical roots. An example of such a tradition would be the artist who asks God for forgiveness if he were to mistakenly touch his instrument with his feet.
A traditional guru-shishya parampara in the punjab gharana of tabla.
The late great Ustad Alla Rakhe Khan (left) and his son, the world-famous Ustad Zakir Hussein.
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