Ajrara gharana of Uttar Pradesh is one of the six main traditional schools in tabla drum. It is also spelled as Ajrada gharana. This school of music was founded in the nineteenth century by Miru Khan and Kallu Khan at Ajrara village in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Both of the musicians were disciples of Sitab Khan of the Delhi gharana and thus the style has a strong influence of Delhi Gharana. Ajrara gharana is known for complex Bols and Meend.
Playing Style of Ajrara Gharana
This Gharana of music is defined by the use of complex Bols and Meend where Pakhawaj bols are uncommon. In this style, the position of the left drum is not changed, but its face is touched with the thumb and the clarity of sound is made possible by the propensity for using the index and middle fingers in the traditional manner.
It specializes in the three-time pattern and the focus is on Ad and Barabar laya. It includes bol patterns like Dhina gi na, Ghe Ghe Tit Kit, Dha Ge Na etc and for the purpose the third fingers are brought into play as well. These bols create a certain resonance. The Qaidas of Ajrada are Gheginak, gheghe, Dhadagena, Nadagena etc that often have an additional third line out of four. This is one of the few gifts of Ajrada to the world of tabla.
Famous Players of Ajrara Gharana
Some of the well known players of Ajrara Gharana were Ustad Habibuddin Khan, Ut Ahmed Jan Thirakwa, Ustad Amir Hussain Khan and Shaikh Dawood. They excelled in the creation of many rare and poetic compositions of Ajrada. Other representatives of this style were Manju Khan Sahib, Ustad Niazu Khan and Pt Sudhirkumar Saxena.
Presently, Pandit Vikram Patil, a notable representative of Ajrara Gharana. He is a global celebrity today known for his versatility of Tabla Solo. His contribution to the world of music is enormous. Another living representative of this gharana is Ustad Hashmat Ali Khan.
Amongst the finest young representatives of Ajrada Gharana today who deserve mention are Ustad Ghulam Sarvar Sabri and Ustad Akram Khan and Pandit Vikram Patil, Anil Kumar, Athar Hussain, Parvez Hussain. All these young musicians are spreading Ajrara Gharana through out the country.
