Atrauli Gharana Explained

The Atrauli Gharana is a Hindustani music apprenticeship fraternity (original gharana), founded by four brothers from the Gauharbani tradition who moved to Atrauli from Gwalior in the late-18th century. The gharana is best known for its influence and association with the Jaipur-Atrauli and Agra gharanas.^[1]

This tradition acquired its celebrated status as its representatives, like Alladiya Khan, Faiyaz Khan, and Vilayat Hussain Khan, grew with acclaim in the 20th century. The gharana is known for its distinctive vocal aesthetics, raga repertoire, and technical aptitude.^[2]

History

The gharana was formed in the 18th century by four brothers - Hidayat Khan, Mughul Khan, Karim Hussain Khan, and Jabbar Khan - who were musicians that settled in Atrauli from Gwalior at the invitation of its Nawab.^[3]

Unlike the Agra Gharana, which comes from the Nauharbani tradition, and the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana, which comes from the Dagarbani tradition, the Atrauli Gharana emerged from the Gauharbani tradition.^[4]

Lineage

The following family trees are based on reports by Vilayat Hussain Khan.^[5]

Ancestral Lineage

Prominent Musicians

• Mehboob Khan "Daraspiya"
• Puttan Khan
• Alladiya Khan
• Faiyaz Hussain Khan
• Vilayat Hussain Khan

Bibliography

• Book: Gaanyogini Dhondutai Kulkarni. Sur Sangat. 2014. Rajhans Prakashan. 978-81-7434-694-0.
• Book: Babanrao Haldankar. Aesthetics of Agra and Jaipur Traditions. 2001. Popular Prakashan. 978-81-7154-685-5.

Notes and References

1. Book: Sharma . Manorma . Tradition of Hindustani music . 2006 . A.P.H. Pub. Corp . New Delhi . 81-7648-999-9 . 49.
2. Book: Kumāraprasāda Mukhopādhyāẏa. The Lost World of Hindustani Music. 2006. Penguin Books India. 978-0-14-306199-1. 154–. 2020-11-22. 2024-05-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20240502062303/https://books.google.com/books?id=-MR_6Gr26hAC&pg=PA154#v=onepage&q&f=false. live.
3. Book: Manorma Sharma. Tradition of Hindustani Music. 2006. APH Publishing. 978-81-7648-999-7. 49–51. 2020-11-22. 2024-05-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20240502062304/https://books.google.com/books?id=YdtqrooCo-oC&pg=PA49#v=onepage&q&f=false. live.
4. Book: Jeffrey Michael Grimes. The Geography of Hindustani Music: The Influence of Region and Regionalism on the North Indian Classical Tradition. 2008. ProQuest. 978-1-109-00342-0. 142–.
5. Book: Ghosh . Tapasi . Pran Piya: Ustad Vilayat Hussain Khan . 2008 . Atlantic Publishers and Distributors . India . 978-81-269-0855-4 . Appendix.