Question

From time to time, artists of various Gharana have brought glory to their Gharana with their efficiency. Famous artists of Punjab Gharana, Ustad Alla Rakha Khan gave a new structure of Peshkar, which later on has been adopted by various artists. Whereas in the field of Pakhawaj playing, Guru Purushottam Das paid special attention to the bol of ‘Dhumkit’ due to which the tradition of Pakhawaj playing got enriched.
After reading the above passage, describe about the salient features of any two Gharanas of Tabla or Pakhawaj and also describe about the contribution of main artists belonging to these Gharanas.

Hint:

Punjab → bold tabla, Peshkar; Nana Panse → ancient Pakhawaj, Dhumkit.

Answer 1

Punjab Gharana (Tabla): - Characterized by strong compositions, particularly impactful Peshkar and Rela.
- Distinguished by bold articulation, open bols, and inventive improvisation.
- Ustad Alla Rakha Khan, a renowned figure of this Gharana, popularized the Peshkar format and achieved international acclaim, notably with Ravi Shankar.
- He mentored Ustad Zakir Hussain, credited with modernizing and globalizing the Punjab style.
- The clarity and endurance of the Punjab Gharana have significantly influenced fusion, solo performances, and accompaniment.
Nana Panse Gharana (Pakhawaj): - This Gharana (also known as Nathdwara) upholds ancient Pakhawaj traditions associated with Dhrupad.
- Guru Purushottam Das enhanced Pakhawaj artistry by refining the ‘Dhumkit’ bol, adding richness to its repertoire.
- The Gharana emphasizes powerful Dugun, Chaugun, and precise recitation.
- It adheres to strict traditional methods, transmitting compositions through oral tradition.
Contribution: Artists from these Gharanas have safeguarded traditional compositions, facilitated knowledge transfer to subsequent generations, and elevated the global standing of Indian percussion.
They demonstrated the potential of tabla and pakhawaj to excel as standalone instruments, beyond their role in accompaniment.