Rampur–Sahaswan gharana is a gharana (musical heritage) of Hindustani classical music centred in the North-Uttar Pradesh towns of Rampur and Sahaswan. Ustad Inayat Hussain Khan (1849–1919) was the founder of this gharana.

History

The gharana find its origins in Mehboob Khan, the chief khayal singer in the royal court of Rampur State (in present Uttar Pradesh), his tradition was followed by his son Inayat Hussain Khan (1849–1919) and in turn by Inyat's brothers-in-law, Haider Khan (1857–1927), Ustad Fida Hussain Khan and Padma Bhushan Ustad Mushtaq Hussain Khan (1878–1964; first recipient of the Padma Bhushan Award), thus all the singers were connected with each other, and gharana was named after their ancestral place, Sahaswan, in present Badaun district. Amongst most famous and relevant vocalists of the Gharana are Mushtaq Hussain Khan, Nisar Hussain Khan, Ghulam Mustafa Khan, Ghulam Sadiq Khan and Rashid Khan. Inayat Hussain Khan was a child prodigy.Inayat Hussain Khan first married the daughter of Haddu Khan of the Gwalior gharana.

Singing style

The Rampur-Sahaswan gayaki (style of singing) is closely related to the Gwalior Gharana, which features medium-slow tempos, a full-throated voice and intricate rhythmic play. The gharana style is also known for the diversity and intricacy of the taans (rapidfire elaborations), as well as tarana singing. Renowned singers of this gharana include the first and, perhaps the foremost disciple of Inayat Hussain Khan, Haider Khan. Khan and his family play a vital role in upbringing the legacy of this illustrious family. His son Fida Hussain Khan and his grandson Nissar Hussain Khan continued the tradition. Nissar Hussain Khan was a great teacher whose disciples include vocalists Ghulam Mustafa Khan, Rashid Khan, Hafeez Ahmed Khan. Mushtaq Hussain Khan was a disciple of Haider Khan and was later groomed by Inayat Hussain Khan. He was the recipient of the first Padma Bhushan award in singing. The gharana is represented by two interrelated families - the direct descendants of Inayat Hussain Khan and his other relatives and disciples. In 2006, Dr Sakuntala Narasimhan, herself a disciple of Hafeez Ahmed Khan, published a book on the Rampur–Sahaswan gharana titled The Splendour of Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana.

Exponents

19th Century

20th Century

21st Century