SSC Exams

Major Gharanas of Indian Classical Music | Short Notes with PYQs

Jul 23, 2025

Major Gharanas of Indian Classical Music

Indian classical music has a rich tradition with various gharanas (schools) that have contributed to its evolution. These gharanas are characterized by their unique styles, techniques, and contributions to the art form. Each gharana has its own set of rules, compositions, and notable exponents who have carried forward the legacy. The term “gharana” is derived from the Hindi word “ghar,” meaning “home,” and it signifies a lineage or school of music that has been passed down through generations. Gharanas often focus on specific aspects of music, such as vocal techniques, instrumental styles, or particular ragas (melodic frameworks). The gharanas are not just limited to vocal music but also encompass instrumental music, dance forms like Kathak, and even fusion genres. They play a crucial role in preserving the rich heritage of Indian classical music while also allowing for innovation and adaptation to contemporary styles. The following are some of the major gharanas in Indian classical music, along with their founders and notable exponents. Each gharana has its own unique characteristics, techniques, and contributions to the art form, making them integral to the rich tapestry of Indian classical music.

Gwalior Gharana (Madhya Pradesh) - The Oldest Gharana

Founders: Hassu Khan, Haddu Khan, Nathoo Khan, Nathan Pir Baksh
Exponents:

Raja Bhaiya Poonchwale
Krishnarao Shankar
Pandit Omkarnath Thakur
Veena Sahasrabuddhe
Vishnu “Digambar” Paluskar
Balakrishnabuwa Ichalkaranjikar

Kirana Gharana (Uttar Pradesh)

Founders: Abdul Karim Khan, Abdul Wahid Khan
Exponents:

Pandit Bhimsen Joshi (Bharat Ratna, 2008)
Kumar Gandharva (Padma Vibhushan, 1990)
Channulal Mishra (Padma Vibhushan, 2020)
Prabha Atre
Amjad Ali Khan (Padma Vibhushan, 2001)
Gangubai Hangal
Manik Verma
Sawai Gandharv
Ustad Abdul Kareem Khan
Sureshbabu Mane
Hirabai Barodekar
Kesarbai Kerkar

Patiala Gharana

Founders: Ustad Fateh Ali Khan, Ustad Ali Baksh Khan, Mian Kallu
Exponents:

Bade Ghulam Ali Khan
Begum Akhtar (Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan)
Ajay Chakraborty
Naina Devi
Parveen Sultana
Lakshmi Shankar
Amanat Ali Khan

Mewati Gharana

Founder: Ghagge Nazir Khan
Exponents:

Pt. Jasraj
Maniram
Sanjeev Abhyankar
Kala Ramnath (Violin)
Tripti Mukherjee
Ratan Mohan Sharma

Maihar Gharana

Founder: Ustad Allaudin Khan
Exponents:

Pannalal Ghosh (Flute)
Aluddin Khan (Sarod)
Akbar Ali Khan (Sarod)
Nikhil Banerjee (Sitar)
Pandit Ravi Shankar (Bharat Ratna, 1999)
Annapurna Devi (Surbahar)
Hariprasad Chaurasia (Flute)
VG Jog (Violin)

Indore Gharana

Founder: Ustad Amir Khan
Exponents:

Sultan Khan (Sarangi)
Pandit Amarnath
Shankar Lal Mishra
Kalyan Banerjee
Purvi Mukherjee

Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana

Founder: Alladiya Khan
Exponents:

Kesarbai Kerkar
Mallikarjun Mansur
Vidyadhar Vyas
Vidyagauri Adkar
Bande Ali Khan (Rudra Veena)
Pt. Lakshman Prasad
Kishori Amonkar

Punjab Gharana

Founder: Lal Bhawani Singh
Exponents:

Alla Rakha (Tabla)
Zakir Hussain (Padma Vibhushan, 2023; Padma Bhushan, 2002; Padma Shri, 1988; Grammy winner)
Nikhil Ghosh (Tabla)
Shafaat Ahmed Khan
Ustad Altaf Hussain
Ustad Ashfaque Hussain
Mian Qadir Baksh

Benaras Gharana

Kathak Founder: Janaki Prasad
Khayal Founder: Pt. Gopal Mishra
Tabla Founder: Pt. Ram Sahai
Exponents:

Ustad Bismillah Khan (Shehnai)
Pt. Anokhelal Mishra (Tabla)
Pt. Kishan Maharaj
Samta Prasad
Pt. Kanthe Maharaj
Gopal Misra
Hanuman Prasad Misra

Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana

Founders: Ustad Inayat Khan, Mehboob Khan, Mahbub Khan
Exponents:

Gulam Mustafa Khan
Ustad Rashid Khan
Sadik Hussain Khan
Ustad Nisar Khan
Zeeshan Khan Abbas Khan

Bhendi Bazar Gharana (Mumbai)

Founders: Chhajju Khan, Nazir Khan, Khadim Hussain Khan
Exponents:

Aman Ali Khan
Lata Mangeshkar (Bharat Ratna, 2001)
Anjanibai Malpekar
Sashikala Kakodkar

Agra Gharana (Rangeela Gharana)

Founder: Hajisujan Khan
Exponents:

Ustad Vilayat Hussain Khan
Ustad Faiyaz Khan

Darbhanga Gharana (Bihar)

Founders: Radhakrishna, Kartaram
Exponents:

Ram Chatur Mallick
Pt. Dharmlal Mallick
Pt. Bhim Mallick (Pakhawaj)
Pt. Kchitpal Mallick

Lucknow Gharana

Tabla Exponents:

Miyan Bakshu
Wajid Hussain Khan
Afaq Hussain Khan
Santosh Krishna Biswas
Swapan Chaudhuri
S. R. Chishti
Pandit Swaraj Bhattacharya
Pandit Ashok Maitra
Kathak Exponents:
Durga Prasad Mishra
Thakur Prasad Mishra
Bindadin Maharaj
Kalka Prasad Mishra
Acchan Maharaj
Lacchu Maharaj
Shambhu Maharaj
Birju Maharaj (Padma Vibhushan, 1986)

Senia Gharana

Exponents:

Hariprasad Chaurasia (Padma Bhushan, 1992; Padma Vibhushan, 2000)

Sufiana Gharana

Exponents:

Hariprasad Chaurasia (Flute)
- He got Padma Vibhushan in 2000 and Padma Bhushan in 1992.

PYQ MCQs on Major Gharanas of Indian Classical Music

1. Who is considered the founder of the Gwalior Gharana?

A) Ustad Fateh Ali Khan
B) Hassu Khan
C) Abdul Karim Khan
D) Ustad Allaudin Khan

Answer: B) Hassu Khan

2. Which gharana is known for its association with the legendary vocalist Pandit Bhimsen Joshi?

A) Gwalior Gharana
B) Kirana Gharana
C) Patiala Gharana
D) Mewati Gharana

Answer: B) Kirana Gharana

3. Who is a notable exponent of the Patiala Gharana?

A) Ustad Bismillah Khan
B) Pandit Ravi Shankar
C) Bade Ghulam Ali Khan
D) Ustad Amir Khan

Answer: C) Bade Ghulam Ali Khan

4. Which gharana is associated with the founder Ghagge Nazir Khan?

A) Mewati Gharana
B) Maihar Gharana
C) Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana
D) Indore Gharana

Answer: A) Mewati Gharana

5. Who is a prominent exponent of the Maihar Gharana?

A) Pandit Amarnath
B) Ustad Allaudin Khan
C) Ustad Fateh Ali Khan
D) Ustad Amir Khan

Answer: B) Ustad Allaudin Khan

6. Which gharana is known for its association with the legendary sitar player Pandit Ravi Shankar?

A) Indore Gharana
B) Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana
C) Maihar Gharana
D) Gwalior Gharana

Answer: C) Maihar Gharana

7. Who is the founder of the Indore Gharana?

A) Alladiya Khan
B) Ustad Amir Khan
C) Ustad Fateh Ali Khan
D) Lal Bhawani Singh

Answer: B) Ustad Amir Khan

8. Which gharana is associated with Kesarbai Kerkar?

A) Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana
B) Patiala Gharana
C) Benaras Gharana
D) Kirana Gharana

Answer: A) Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana

9. Zakir Hussain is a famous tabla player from which gharana?

A) Punjab Gharana
B) Lucknow Gharana
C) Benaras Gharana
D) Patiala Gharana

Answer: A) Punjab Gharana

10. Who is a renowned exponent of the Benaras Gharana for Shehnai?

A) Pt. Kishan Maharaj
B) Ustad Bismillah Khan
C) Pt. Ram Sahai
D) Samta Prasad

Answer: B) Ustad Bismillah Khan

11. Which gharana was founded by Ustad Inayat Khan?

A) Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana
B) Bhendi Bazar Gharana
C) Agra Gharana
D) Darbhanga Gharana

Answer: A) Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana

12. Lata Mangeshkar is associated with which gharana?

A) Bhendi Bazar Gharana
B) Patiala Gharana
C) Kirana Gharana
D) Gwalior Gharana

Answer: A) Bhendi Bazar Gharana

13. Who is the founder of the Agra Gharana?

A) Hajisujan Khan
B) Chhajju Khan
C) Radhakrishna
D) Lal Bhawani Singh

Answer: A) Hajisujan Khan

14. Which gharana is known for its Pakhawaj exponents like Pt. Bhim Mallick?

A) Darbhanga Gharana
B) Lucknow Gharana
C) Senia Gharana
D) Sufiana Gharana

Answer: A) Darbhanga Gharana

15. Birju Maharaj is a legendary Kathak dancer from which gharana?

A) Lucknow Gharana
B) Benaras Gharana
C) Patiala Gharana
D) Punjab Gharana

Answer: A) Lucknow Gharana