Farukhabad gharana is a famous playing style of North Indian tabla drums in Hindustani classical music. It is one of the latest gharanas of tabla, the other one being Banaras Gharana. It belongs to the wider eastern way of playing and is characterized by an extensive use of resonant strokes and delicate strokes owing to the origins and influences of Delhi, Ajrada and most of all Lucknow Gharanas.
Etymology of Farukhabad Gharana
The word gharana means `family` which in music refers to the place where the musical ideology has originated. The name of this gharana is derived from Farukhabad located in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
History of Farukhabad Gharana
This style of gharana was created in the 11th century by a Court musician named Akaasa. The musician, who was Rajput by birth, converted to Islam and changed his name from Akaasa to Mir Akaasa. He is said to be the first one to introduce bols into tabla playing. He breathed his last in the year 1189 AD.
Mir Akaasa had nine sons and one daughter. He taught this gharana to his eldest son, Ustad Bilawal Khan, who in turn taught this musical style to Ustad Ali Baksh. This tradition continued till the 26th successor, Ustad Haji Vilayat Ali Khan. It was Ustad Haji Vilayat Ali Khan who named this "gharana" after the region in which he lived which was Farukkabad.
This tradition is still carried on by the successors of Farukhabad Gharana. The Present Khalifa of this gharana is the notable tabla exponent Ustad Sabir Khan. He is the 33rd generation of this lineage. His sons Arif Khan, Asif Khan and Ameen Khan are the 34th successor of this lineage.
Strokes of Farukhabad Gharana
The repertoire of Farukhabad Gharana comprises variety of intriguing compositions. It makes great use of open resonant baya strokes, and contains many unique stroke combinations. There is also a great emphasis on gats, chalan and rela compositions.
Famous Composers of Farukhabad Gharana
Some of the well-known composers of Farukhabad Gharana are Haji Vilayat Ali Khan and Amir Hussain Khan, nephew of Munir Khan. Owing to the creative output of such great composers, there is a remarkable variety in the repertoire of compositions.
