Agra Gharana
Provenance
Founder
Agra Gharana is said to be founded by two vocalists
Shamrang and Sasrang,who were exponents of the
‘dhrupad-dhamar’ style.
Genealogy
Genre
The khayal rendition came into this school toward the mid
-nineteenth century. A distinct feature of this school is
the fine attention it pays to layakari (the understanding
of rhythm), as a result of its association with the
dhrupad and dhamar styles.
The Peerless & Illustrious
Ustad Faiyaz Khan.It was Ustad Faiyaz Khan who was
responsible for lending the gharana the distinction it now
bears as an individual school within khayal gayaki. His
style of singing was one that laid great stress on a long
alaap as of course layakari (rhythmic nuances).
The Torchbearers
Anecdotes
Comments
A composition, as per the Agra style is generally
presented in the madhya-laya (medium tempo) with the use
of bol-laya i.e the use of words within the bandish to
play with rhythm rather than using aakar to do so. Similar
in concept was that of bol-taan where the words within the
composition were set to taan (vocal inflections) rather
than using the aakar to do so. The taans in the Agra style
begin from varying points and are controlled in the madhya
laya, rather than being used swiftly to impress with
speed.
View Maestros of Agra Gharana