Darbhanga Gharana

The Darbhanga Gharana is a style of singing that follows the Dhrupad tradition of Hindustani music. It originated in Darbhanga, Bihar, India in 18th-century. The gharana flourished under the Darbhanga Raj. The kings of Darbhanga Raj were great patrons of music, art, and culture. Several famous musicians were associated with Darbhanga Raj.

The Darbhanga Gharana was started by Pt. Radhakrishna and Pt. Kartaram , who learned dhrupad from Bhupat Khan(grandson of Tansen). Legend states that when they visited Darbhanga, the region had suffered a period of famine and severe drought. The brothers offered help and sang Raga Megh, which produced a heavy downpour instantly. Gratefully the Maharaja Madhao Singh granted them several villages and the surrounding land where their family resides until today.

It is one of the four Dhrupad Gharanas in India and one among the two Dhrupad Gharanas present in Bihar. The Mallik Family is the leading representative of the court music tradition of Darbhanga.

There are four prevelant Vani's in Dhrupad singing. The Darbhanga Gharanga masters the 'Khandar' Vani and the 'Gauhar' Vani. There is a drag of notes in the Gauhar Vani with a strict adheration to the notes. This Vani is closely related to the family of Tansen. This Vani involves frequent use of 'meand' technique of Indian Classical Music. However, the Khandar Vani involves the use of pieces of words into the Gamaka. The proponents of Darbhanga gharana mix the two styles invariably in their singing.

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