Agra Gharana
Due to having deep link with Gwalior Gharana some characteristics are similar. “Hazi Sujan khan” was the originator of the Gharana. “u. Ghage Khuda Bakhash” has popularized the qualities of Agra tradition. He was disciple of Hassu khan, Haddu khan, Natthu khan’s grand father. He learnt khayal gayaki there and later on he came to Agra along with the qualities of Gwalior tradition. ......continue below...
Khuda Bakhash and Jangu Khan were two brothers. Ghulam Abbas Khan (Ghage Khuda Bakhash’ son) taught to Jangu’s son named ‘Natthan’. Ghulam Abbas khan was a Nana (maternal grand father) of u. Faiyaz Khan of Agra (‘Aftab-e-Mausiqi’). Faiyaz khan has impression of Natthan Khan’s gayaki. In the Shishiya Prampra of Faiyaz khan the great names were Ustad Sharafat Husain Khan, Latafat Husain khan (Pratinidhi). The son of Natthan Peer Bakhash was Vilayat Husain khan and his son Yunus Husain khan were the famous names of the tradition.
Characteristics of Agra Gharana:-
Open and ‘Jawaridar’ (bold) voice.
Aalap of ‘Nom-tom’ is rendered in the Khayal gayan before the cmposition, just like Dhrupad singinig.
1. Use of Jaw (Jabadaa).?
2. Complicated (pechdar) Compositions (Bandish) but still easy and natural flow.
3. Utilization of beautiful boltans.
4. Singing of Dhrupad Dammar and Thumri along with the Khayals.
5. Special control on laya and Taal.
Note *this term is used by so many book writers but as much as I personally sat with so many ustads mystos of this gharana, it was never found. they use ghamak effectively. Some of them are Ustaad Yunus Husain Khan Sahib. We spent months togegher, he tought me some compositions in raag Alhaiya Bilawal (Bada Khayal-So Ab more ram and Chhota Khayal-ise japa kar he re man), Mian-Ki-Sarang (aayee dulhan nayi naveli), Bairagi (Sadra-Karim Rahim pak parvar digaar, chhota khayal-kar ratat ratat ye pukar papiha), Khamaj (thumri teental-meko nindiya na jagavo raj gari doongi), Bhairvi (Thuri teentalBan Ban Dhun Sun magan tan man) and more