Gharanas & musical lineages

The one major tabla gharana founded outside the Muslim hereditary families: open, ringing strokes and a repertoire close to Varanasi's dance and vocal music.

Type

gharana

Where it grew

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Voice or instrument

Tabla

Earliest documented figures

Ram Sahai

Founded by Pandit Ram Sahai in the early nineteenth century after training in the Lucknow line.

• Ram Sahai1780–1826Tabla

  Founder of the Benares tabla style.

  Relationship checking is complete against the source text read for this musician; wider biographical research is still outstanding.

  Sources: Ram Sahai — Wikipedia · Benares Gharana Lineage Chart and Tabla Player ...

• Kanthe Maharaj1880–1969Tabla

  The dominant Benares player of the early twentieth century.

  No continuous-text source was read for this musician in the research run, only search result listings, so both the teacher checks and the wider biography remain unchecked.

  Sources: Pandit Kanthe Maharaj Biography In English Pdf Life Story ...

• Samta Prasad1921–1994Tabla

  Also written Gudai Maharaj

  Soloist and film accompanist who took Benares tabla to a wide audience.

  Relationship checking is complete against the source text read for this musician; wider biographical research is still outstanding.

  Sources: Samta Prasad — Wikipedia · Benares Gharana Lineage Chart and Tabla Player ...

• Kishan Maharaj1923–2008Tabla

  A commanding soloist and the central Benares figure of his generation.

  Taught by Kanthe Maharaj

  Relationship checking is complete against the source text read for this musician; wider biographical research is still outstanding.

  Sources: Kishan Maharaj — Wikipedia

• Sharda Sahai1935–2011Tabla

  Family-line player who taught the Benares style in Britain and the United States.

  No continuous-text source was read for this musician in the research run, only search result listings, so both the teacher checks and the wider biography remain unchecked.

  Sources: Benares Gharana Lineage Chart and Tabla Player ... · Pandit Sharda Sahai - Laya Loka

• Kumar Boseborn 1953Tabla

  Leading Benares player of the contemporary generation.

  Taught by Kishan Maharaj

  Relationship checking is complete against the source text read for this musician; wider biographical research is still outstanding.

  Sources: Kumar Bose — Wikipedia · Pandit Kumar Bose · Kumar Bose – Ali Akbar Khan Centennial