The Maihar Gharana is one of the most influential and prestigious schools of Indian classical music, renowned for its unique contributions to Hindustani music, particularly in the realm of instrumental music. The gharana (or “school” in music) traces its roots to the small town of Maihar in Madhya Pradesh, a place that became the cradle of a new musical movement under the leadership of one of the greatest maestros of Indian classical music, Ustad Allauddin Khan. The Maihar Gharana has since produced some of the most iconic and revered musicians of the 20th century, known for their innovative styles, deep commitment to tradition, and the creation of a legacy that continues to shape Indian classical music.
The Origins: Ustad Allauddin Khan – The Maestro of Maihar
The story of the Maihar Gharana begins with Ustad Allauddin Khan (1862-1972), the towering figure whose genius gave birth to this lineage. Born in a small village in East Bengal (now Bangladesh), Allauddin Khan showed early promise as a musician. His journey to mastery was marked by years of relentless pursuit of knowledge and a deep passion for all forms of music. His early training was in sarod, but his thirst for knowledge led him to study various instruments, including sitar, surbahar, violin, flute, tabla, and even vocal music, absorbing everything that he could from multiple traditions and masters across India.
In his early years, Allauddin Khan studied under Wazir Khan, a descendant of the court musicians of Tansen, the legendary musician of Akbar’s court. Wazir Khan, a master of the Senia Gharana, was a direct descendant of the Tansen school, which specialized in Dhrupad and instrumental music, and this foundation deeply influenced Allauddin Khan’s understanding of classical music, infusing it with the gravity and depth of Dhrupad while allowing space for more melodic and improvisational elements typical of the Khayal tradition.
Allauddin Khan’s vast knowledge and ability to blend various styles, traditions, and instruments created a new approach to Hindustani classical music that would become the hallmark of the Maihar Gharana.
Establishing the Maihar Gharana
In the early 20th century, Ustad Allauddin Khan was invited to the princely state of Maihar to become the court musician. It was here that he began to develop and refine what would be known as the Maihar Gharana. His time in Maihar was not only spent performing but also training a new generation of musicians. He revolutionized the teaching of music, insisting on rigorous discipline and extensive training across multiple instruments. This comprehensive approach ensured that his students had a deep, holistic understanding of both the theory and the practice of Indian classical music.
The hallmark of the Maihar Gharana, under Allauddin Khan’s guidance, became its distinctive emphasis on instrumental music, with a strong foundation in vocal traditions. His philosophy was that instrumentalists should aim to emulate the nuances of vocal music through their instruments, a concept known as “gayaki ang”. This meant that the instruments, whether sarod, sitar, or any other, were played in a way that mimicked the subtleties of voice, including microtonal movements (known as meend) and intricate ornamentations.
In addition, Allauddin Khan introduced elements of Western classical music into his teaching, encouraging his students to learn Western instruments like the violin, clarinet, and even the piano. His love for experimentation and innovation laid the foundation for a truly diverse and forward-thinking school of music.
Baba’s students have been pillars of Indian music and now Maihar Gharana music have spread its wings in India and abroad. His son legendary Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, and daughter Annapurna Devi have marked a lineage in Indian Classical Music. Some of other notable musicians who are famous are Pt. Ravi Shankar, Pt. Nikhil Banerjee, Pt. Pannalal Ghosh, Pt. V.G Jog, Ustad Bahadur Khan, and the lists goes on.
