Agra-Atrauli Gharana
Agra Gharana is a tradition of Hindustani classical vocal music descended from time of Allauddin Khilji of Delhi 1300 AD.
The first known musician of this tradition is Nayak Gopal. The style prevalent then in the Gharana was “Dhrupad-Dhamar”. Ustad Ghagghe Khudabuksh (1790-1880 AD) introduced the “Khayal” style of Gwalior Gharana into Agra gharana which Khudabaksh learnt from Natthan Paribaksh of Gwalior. Furthermore the Khayal style of Atrauli gharana was added in the late 19th century.
The gayaki of the Agra Gharana is a blend of khayal gayaki and Dhrupad - Dhamar. In training, both the khayal and dhrupad components run hand in hand and are not taught in an isolated fashion. This is obvious from the method of singing notes of the Agra Gharana which demands that the projection of voice be more forceful and voluminous than encountered in khayal gayaki. This is the only Gharana that has still continued to sing Dhrupad-Dhamar along with Nom-Tom Alap, Khayal, Thumri, Tappa, Tarana, Hori, Dadra, Ghazal, Kaul, Rasiya etc.
Vilayat Hussain Khan (1895–1962) was a prominent musician of the Agra Gharana, who excelled both as singer and teacher. His father, Natthan Khan, was himself an acclaimed performing artist(singer) of his time, and a noted guru. Vilayat Hussain Khan's elder brothers were also noted singers and taught him after their father's early death. Vilayat Hussain Khan composed bandishes in many ragas including some very rare ones under the name "Pran Piya".
Ustad Faiyaz Khan served for a long time as the court musician of Sir Sayaji Rao Gaekwad, the Maharaja of Baroda, where he was awarded the "Gyan Ratna" (Gem of Knowledge). The Maharaja of Mysore awarded him the title "Aftab-e-Mousiqui" (the Sun of Music) in 1911.
Vilayat Hussain Khan (1895–1962) was a prominent musician of the Agra Gharana, who excelled both as singer and teacher. His father, Natthan Khan, was himself an acclaimed performing artist(singer) of his time, and a noted guru. Vilayat Hussain Khan's elder brothers were also noted singers and taught him after their father's early death. Vilayat Hussain Khan composed bandishes in many ragas including some very rare ones under the name "Pran Piya".