In this guide
On a summer evening in Lucknow in the 1850s, the Nawab Wajid Ali Shah might be found watching — or dancing in — a performance of Kathak, or composing a thumri. Nearly three hundred kilometres away, in the temples and ghats of Varanasi, singers and tabla players were refining traditions that would shape Indian classical music for the next century. Uttar Pradesh has been one of the great homes of Indian music and dance.
Kathak
- One of India's classical dance forms, recognised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi.
- Its name comes from katha (story); it began with kathakars — storytellers in temples who narrated epics through song, mime and dance.
- Under Mughal and Awadh patronage, it developed into a refined court art.
Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Footwork (tatkar) | Intricate rhythmic patterns with ankle bells (ghungroo) |
| Chakkars | Rapid spins |
| Abhinaya | Expressive storytelling |
| Nritta and nritya | Pure dance and expressive dance |
| Music | Tabla and pakhawaj; sarangi; vocal accompaniment |
Gharanas
| Gharana | Characteristics | Notable exponents |
|---|---|---|
| Lucknow | Grace, delicacy, expressive abhinaya — shaped in the Awadh court | Kalka–Bindadin family; Shambhu Maharaj; Birju Maharaj |
| Jaipur | Vigorous footwork and rhythmic complexity | — |
| Banaras | Associated with Janakiprasad; balanced style | — |
Thumri, dadra and ghazal
- Thumri — a light-classical vocal form focused on romantic and devotional themes (often Radha–Krishna), with expressive ornamentation.
- It flourished in Lucknow under Wajid Ali Shah, who composed thumris under the name Akhtar Piya, and in Varanasi (the Purab ang).
- Dadra, kajri, chaiti and hori are related semi-classical forms.
- The ghazal tradition flourished in Lucknow's Urdu culture; Begum Akhtar (born in Faizabad) is its most celebrated voice.
The Banaras gharana
| Area | Exponents |
|---|---|
| Vocal (thumri, dadra, khayal) | Girija Devi ("Queen of Thumri"), Siddheshwari Devi, Pandit Chhannulal Mishra, Rajan and Sajan Mishra |
| Tabla | Banaras tabla gharana — Pandit Kishan Maharaj, Pandit Samta Prasad |
| Shehnai | Ustad Bismillah Khan (born in Dumraon, Bihar; lived and performed in Varanasi; Bharat Ratna 2001) |
| Sitar | Pandit Ravi Shankar was born in Varanasi |
Tabla gharanas of UP
| Gharana | Notes |
|---|---|
| Lucknow | Suited to Kathak accompaniment |
| Farrukhabad | Developed from Lucknow |
| Banaras | Powerful, resonant style |
| Ajrara | Named after a village near Meerut; an offshoot of the Delhi gharana |
Four of the six major tabla gharanas are associated with UP.
Dhrupad
- Dhrupad, the oldest surviving form of Hindustani classical music, has deep roots in the region — associated with Tansen at Akbar's court (Agra) and with temple traditions.
- Vrindavan and Varanasi have long dhrupad traditions; the Dhrupad Mela is held at Tulsi Ghat, Varanasi.
Folk music of UP
| Form | Region / occasion |
|---|---|
| Kajri | Sung in the monsoon (Sawan), especially in Mirzapur and Varanasi |
| Chaiti | Sung in the month of Chaitra |
| Birha | Folk songs of the Ahir community of eastern UP |
| Alha | Heroic ballads of Alha and Udal, warriors of Mahoba (Bundelkhand) |
| Rasiya | Songs of Braj, especially around Holi |
| Sohar | Sung at the birth of a child |
| Nautanki | Folk theatre with music, especially associated with Kanpur and Hathras styles |
Folk dances
| Dance | Region |
|---|---|
| Charkula | Braj — women dance balancing a tall, multi-tiered lamp structure on their heads |
| Raslila | Braj — dance-drama of Krishna and the gopis |
| Dhedhiya | Eastern UP |
| Karma and Jhoomar | Tribal areas of Sonbhadra and Mirzapur |
Institutions
- Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, Lucknow (music and dance education).
- UP Sangeet Natak Akademi.
- Faculty of Performing Arts, BHU.
Practice
Prelims-style:
- Which Kathak gharana is known for grace and abhinaya?
- Under what name did Wajid Ali Shah compose thumris?
- Who is known as the "Queen of Thumri"?
- What is Charkula?
- Which ballads narrate the heroism of Alha and Udal?
Mains-style:
- "The courts of Awadh and the ghats of Varanasi shaped Hindustani music." Discuss.
- Examine the role of folk music in preserving the social history of Uttar Pradesh.
A note on dates and numbers. Exam patterns, vacancies and schedules change from year to year. Always confirm the current details in the latest notification on the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission website .
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