Benares Gharana

Benares gharānā is one of the six most common styles of playing of the Indian tabla.

The Benares tabla gharana was developed a little over 200 years ago by Ram Sahay (1780–1826). Ram Sahab began studying the tabla with his father from the age of five. At the age of nine, he moved to Lucknow to become the disciple of Modhu Khan of the Lucknow gharānā. When Ram Sahay was seventeen years old, Wazir Ali Khan, the new Nawab, asked Modhu Khan if Ram Sahai could perform a recital for him. Modhu Khan agreed, on the condition that Ram Sahai would not be interrupted until he finished playing. It is said that Ram Sahay played for seven consecutive nights, and that after this incredible performance, Ram Sahay was praised by all the members of the community and was showered with gifts. Shortly after this performance, Ram Sahay returned to Benares.

After some time performing in Benares, Ram Sahay felt the need to make a significant change in his tabla playing. For six months, he withdrew into seclusion, and worked to develop what is now known as the Benares baj or style of tabla playing. The philosophy behind this new style of tabla playing is that it would be versatile enough to perform solo, and to accompany any form of music or dance. The tabla would be able to play delicately, as required for khyal, or more aggressively, like pakhawaj, for the accompaniment of dhrupad or kathak dance. Ram Sahai developed a new way of fingering the tabla strokes; especially important is the sound Na, being played with a curved ring finger to allow for maximum resonance of the dahina. He also composed numerous compositions within existing compositional forms (gats, tukras, parans etc.) and created new forms, such as uthan, Benarsi theka, and fard.

The renowned masters of tabla from the Sahai family of Benares includes the brothers of Sharda Sahai viz. Gauri Sahay, Janki Sahai and Ishwari Sahai; and the descendants from the brothers side of Ram Sahai includes Bhairav Sahai, Baldev Sahai, Durga (Nannhu) Sahai, Bhagwati Sahai, Ram Sahai, Sharda Sahai, Sanju Sahai, Deepak Sahai etc. Sharda Sahai was from the 5th generation of tabla players in the Sahay family. Sanju Sahai (also known as Vishnu) and Deepak Sahai represent from the 6th generation.

The five eminent among the direct disciples of Ram Sahai were Bhagat Mishra (Gududatt), Ram Sharan Mishra, Pratap Maharaj (Mishra), Baij Nath and Yadu Nandan Ji. The renowned masters from the disciples of the direct disciples and descendants of Ram Sahai includes Bhairon Prasad Mishra, Anokhelal Mishra, Dargahi Mishra, Vikramaditya (Bikku) Maharaj, Bacha Maharaj, Kanthe maharaj, Samta Prasad (Godai Maharaj) and Kishan Maharaj.

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