Just as vocal music has gharanas, tabla also has gharanas – lineages of style and technique. Each gharana has characteristic ways of playing kaidas, relas, and other compositions.
Major tabla gharanas
Delhi Gharana
- Considered one of the oldest tabla traditions.
- Emphasis on clarity of bols and dignified, balanced playing.
Ajrada Gharana
- Developed near Delhi, known for complex use of off-beat accents and interesting rhythmic patterns.
Lucknow Gharana
- Associated with refined, graceful playing, mirroring the elegance of Lucknow’s dance and court traditions.
Benares (Varanasi) Gharana
- Powerful, dynamic style; famous for energetic tukdas and chakradars.
- Often associated with the dhrupad/pakhawaj aesthetic translated to tabla.
Punjab Gharana
- Strongly influenced by pakhawaj; deep, resonant bayan strokes and rich repertoire of compositions.
What differs between gharanas?
Gharanas can differ in:
- How they phrase kaidas and expand variations.
- Preferred bols (e.g., use of “Dhere Dhere” vs “Tirakita”).
- Typical tempo choices and dynamic range.
- Accompaniment philosophy – how busy or sparse they play under a vocalist.
For a listener, these distinctions are advanced, but even a beginner can notice that not all tabla playing sounds the same. Some is thunderous and dramatic, some is delicate and conversational.
Over time, cross-learning has blurred strict boundaries, and many modern maestros blend elements of multiple gharanas into a personal style, just as happens with vocalists.