Dillī Gharānā – दिल्ली घराना

The Dilli gharana was founded by Siddhar Khan (born around 1700), and is believed to be the first tabla gharana.

As mentioned in the gharanas overview, Dilli may be thought of as the mother of the four gharanas which have a historical connection to Dilli: Ajrara, Lucknow, Farrukhabad, and Benares (the Punjab gnghara developed more independently).

The Dilli gharana is especially important not only because it was the first gharana, but also because of its contributions to the classical tabla repertoire. Perhaps the most important of these contributions is the Dilli kayda.

Dilli kaydas are the source of many of the foundational bols (phrases) of classical tabla. And most players from all gharanas feel that it is essential to have a strong foundation of Dilli kaydas in their repertoire. Practicing Dilli kaydas is important both for the phrases, and for the techniques which are used.

The Dilli gharana is also the origin of the peshkar, which is one of the most unique, beautiful, and creative forms to emerge from the entire classical tabla repertoire. Although most modern peshkar performance now follows the Farrukhabad style of peshkar, there is no doubt that the form originated in Dilli.

Dilli Gharana Characteristics

Below are some of the most common historical characteristics of the Dilli gharana.

Stylistic Characteristics (baj):

• Gentle and refined
• More restrained expression of bol (phrasing), sometimes called band baj ("closed style")

Technical Characteristics:

• Fast and nimble techniques
• Primary daya stroke (in nā and dhā) played on rim, known as kinār or chānṭī (kinār baj)
• Most compositions played with just two fingers on the daya drum: index and middle fingers ("two-finger baj")

(See the section on Baj for more information about Dilli style and technique.)

Repertoire Characteristics:

• Dilli kayda
• Peshkar
• Rela
• Mukhra-mohra
• Shorter tukras