Gharana tradition : Gwalior

The Gharana tradition of India has fascinated music connoisseurs across the globe. In India a lot of importance is given to family heritage, be it wealth, profession or be it any form of art. The Gharana style of classical music being passed down through generations shows how much people of the subcontinent respect the presence of music in their lives. Although this style of classical music was more widespread earlier, it began to fade away as musicians began to travel, spreading their talents. During their widespread traveling they would give performances and also attend other concerts. They came across musicians from other musical Gharanas. And so instead of adhering to what they had been taught they began to imbibe other styles. Today, Gharana style of music has more or less faded away into oblivion with only a few musicians adhering to where they originally belong.

Gwalior Gharana is the oldest among all the Khayal Gayaki style Gharanas. The founder of this Gharana was Nathan Pir Bakhsh of Lucknow. During late 18th century he moved to the Gwalior court of Maharaja Jankoji Rao Scindia to escape the professional rivalry with another musician that had taken an ugly turn. The distinctive feature of this style of singing has been known for its lucidity and simplicity. Without going into further technicalities of this Gharana tradition, let us listen to some of its well known exponents.

Krishnarao Shankar Pandit - Tappa Kafi - O Miya Janewale :  



Vasundhara Komkali - Mishra Mand - Mriganayani :  





Madhup Mudgal - Alahiya Bilawal - Kavan Batariya :  



Meeta Pandit - Gaud Malhar - Umad Ghumad Aayo :  



Some of the more famous musicians belonging to Gwalior Gharana include D V Paluskar, Omkarnath Thakur, Kumar Gandharva, Malini Rajurkar, Amjad Ali Khan, Veena Sahasrabuddhe and many more. The list is long and one can go on and on. And of course the vocalists, and songs posted above, belong to the Gwalior Gharana.

.. more songs of other Gharanas coming soon.

Malini Rajurkar : Gwalior Gharana

One of the foremost exponents of Gwalior Gharana, Malini Rajurkar is one of the most well known vocalists of her generation. She was born in 1941 to music loving parents and brought up in a middle class household in Rajasthan. Even though music classes at school revealed her talent, Malini was not expected to go beyond fulfilling family duties and taking up a safe, respectable job. In fact, for three years she taught mathematics at the Savitri Girls' High School & College, Ajmer, where she had graduated in the same subject.



But Malini was destined for bigger things. Taking advantage of a three-year scholarship that came her way, she finished her Sangeet Nipun from the Ajmer Music College, studying music under the guidance of Govindrao Rajurkar and his nephew, who was to become her future husband, Vasantrao Rajurkar.

Settled in Hyderabad for over 40 years since the 1970s, her training in her gurus' style has rooted Malini in the Gwalior approach. However, she has felt free to adopt aspects of other styles to create her own. She has been influenced by the likes of K.G.Ginde and Jitendra Abhisheki and by her fondness for the idiosyncratic vocalism of Kumar Gandharva. Malini Rajurkar sings khayal in the Kirana style and is an acknowledged master of Tappa and Tarana.

Bhairavi Tappa :  (Download)



Raga Maru Bihag :  (Download)



Raga Jhinjhoti :  (Download)



Though not a frequent performer, Malini has, over the years, become a name to reckon with. Her concert career started in 1964, drawing the connoisseur rather than the glitz seeker. Ever since, she has been a regular on the Indian concert circuit. She has also had successful tours of the US and UK. She has received several awards, including the prestigious Sangeet Natak Academy award in 2001. Malini Rajurkar, in essence is a connoisseur's delight.