Benaras Tabla
A Powerful Tradition of Rhythmic Mastery, Complex Layakari & Dynamic Percussion.
Provenance
The Benaras Tabla Gharana originated in Benaras in the early 19th century and developed into a distinctive tradition of tabla playing.
Founder & Genealogy
Ram Sahay Mishra founded it in the early 19th century.
Genre
It makes use of Pakhawaj bols. It is associated with dance forms and is characterized by gat, mohra, mukhda, uthan, rela and laggi. The Bols include Parans like Ganesh Paran, Gaja Paran and long Parans with shlokas are found in the compositions of this gharana.
Complex layakari is one of the distinct features of this gharana. Both masculine and feminine gats are developed in this style. Smaller drums are used and the playing is clear and forceful. The solo begins with uthan compositions and dha is often replaced by na. Syllables from almost all instruments are made use of. Laya, such as Barabar, Ad (multiples/fractions of one and a half, eg. Three fourth, three, six, etc.) Viad (multiples/fractions of three and a half) and Kuad (multiples/fractions of two and a half) are used. Rare taals like the Shultal, Pancham Sawari and Dhamar are also played.
The Peerless & Illustrious
Pt. Samta Prasad, Pt.Kishan Maharaj and Pt. Sharda Sahay, Anokhelalji, Kanthe Maharaj, Sharda Sahay, Ramji Mishra, Ranganath Mishra, Kumarlal Mishra, Biru Mishra, Bacha Mishra, Ishwarlalji and Chotelalji.
The Torchbearers
Kumar Bose, Balkrishna Iyer and Sandeep Das.
