History

The Farukkabad gharana of tabla was created in the 11th Century by a Rajput Court musician Akaasa who later accepted and converted to Islam and became a Muslim. He also changed his name from Akaasa to Mir Akaasa. He was the first to introduce bols into tabla playing. The first bols introduced in tabla were "TAT-DHIT-THUN-NAN".

Mir Akaasa died in the year 1189 AD. He was succeeded by nine sons and one daughter. He passed on his legacy to his eldest son, Ustad Bilawal Khan, who in turn passed the torch of the gharana to Ustad Ali Bux (famous for his kran bols). This tradition continued till the 26th descendant, Ustad Haji Vilayat Ali Khan (1779-1826). It was he who named this ‘gharana’ after the province in which he used to live viz. Farukkabad.

Ustad Haji Vilayat Khan received the title of Haji after completing seven hajs (Islamic pilgrimage). He gained fame after his famous battle of Tabla gats with Ustad Salaali Khansaheb who had challenged Ustad Bakshu Khansaheb of the Lucknow ‘gharana’. In order to save his pride, Bakshu Khansaheb requested Haji saheb who was also Salaali Khansaheb's Uncle, to fight the battle of tabla Gats with Ustad Salaali Khansaheb on his behalf.

This battle continued for almost 15 days where many gats (authentic compositions of the gharanas) and jodas (pairs of such compositions) were exchanged. On the 15th day Haji saheb played a unique gat (gat of Gazi) whose joda (pair) Ustad Salaali Khansaheb could not come up with. Haji saheb was declared the winner. As a reward, Ustad Bakshu Khansaheb gave his daughter in marriage to Haji saheb. Haji sahib, in return, gave Salaali Khansaheb his own daughter in marriage to Ustad Salaali Khan along with 14 authentic gats known as jahezi gats as dowry.

The Farukkabad lineage is still carried on by the descendants of this gharana. The Present Khalifa or head of this gharana is Ustad Sabir Khan who is the 33rd generation of this unbroken lineage. His sons Arif Khan, Asif khan and Ameen Khan are the 34th descendants.

There is a huge variety in the repertoire of compositions owing to the tremendous creative output of great composers such as Haji Vilayat Ali Khan, Ustad Nisar Hussain Khansaheb, Ustad Nanhe Khansaheb (pariwale), Ustad Masit Khansaheb, Ustad Karamatullah Khan, Ustad Ahmed Jaan Thirakwa, Ustad Amir Hussain Khan. In addition, a large number of gats.

The Farukhabad Gharana is perhaps the oldest School of Tabla. It was earlier know as the purbi Baj, or "eastern style", which is characterized by an extensive use of resonant strokes played on the sur of the daya. The playing style of the Farukhabad gharana contains similarities to its strong, resonant sounds.

The repertoire, replete with a varied and intriguing compositions, makes great use of open resonant baya strokes, and contains many unique stroke combinations. There is a greater wealth and emphasis of gats, chalan, and rela compositions than on qaida or peshkar. There is a prominent use of certain bols, such as dheredhere, takataka.

Repertoire

The Farukhabad Gharana is is perhaps the oldest School of Tabla. It was earlier know as the "purbi Baj", or "eastern style", which is characterized by an extensive use of resonant strokes played on the sur of the daya. The playing style of the Farukhabad gharana contains similarities to its strong, resonant sounds.

The repertoire is replete with a varied and intriguing compositions, makes great use of open resonant baya strokes, and contains many unique stroke combinations. There is a greater wealth and emphasis of gats, chalan, and rela compositions than on qaida or peshkar. There is a prominent use of certain bols, such as dheredhere, takataka.

Lineage

Descendant of the Farukkabad Gharana

The Great Tabla maestro Ustad Sabir Khan saheb is The KHALIFA of This GHARANA.

Genealogical Table And Disciples of FARUKHABAD GHARANA

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