THE ROLE OF THE GHARANA TRADITION IN PRESERVING AND EVOLVING THE KHAYAL GENRE OF HINDUSTANI CLASSICAL MUSIC

Abstract

Khayal is an Urdu word of Arabic origin which means “imagination”. This word Khayal is also a popular word in the Hindi language. Khayal is a popular genre of Hindustani classical music which is known for its improvisational nature and range in which it can be expressed which allows the expression of diverse range of emotions. Very true to its meaning, Khayal as a form is comparatively flexible when compared to the earlier traditions such as Dhrupad and Dhamaar. However, this form called Khayal has continued because of the system known as the Gharana system. The word Gharana comes from the Hindi word ghar, which means “house.” (Banerjee, Roy, & Dey, 2019). The term has several connotations, one of which refers to a traditional place where learning begins for anyone. In that context, a ghar or gharana can be seen as a traditional school based on lineage, where music is passed down from one generation to another within what is called the Guru–Shishya Parampara, or the master–disciple framework.