The lineage of Delhi (Dilli) Gharana in Classical Hindustani Music is unique. This Gharana became most popular amongst all the Tabla Gharanas. Said to be the fountainhead of most Tabla Gharanas, it has one of the oldest styles of Tabla Playing. Today it is said to be one of six most common styles of Tabla playing, others being – Lucknow, Ajrara, Farrukhabad, Benares, and Punjab. It is claimed that its foundation was laid by Sidhar Khan Dhadi in early 18th century who actually invented the Tabla. He was initially a Pakhawaj player from the tradition of Lala Bhavanidas. The Dilli Gharana is regarded as distinct from the Pakhawaj repertoire.
The style is often characterized by do ungliyon ka baaj (two-finger style). There are contributing improvisation conventions like Peshkar and Kayda. Considered a moderately resonant style like Ajrara).The Delhi gharana is classified with the Bandh baaj” (closed style) rather than the “Khula baaj” (open style) of Punjab gharana and Farukhabad gharana. Delhi gharana is reputed for its vast repertoire of Kaydas – a structured improvisation consisting of a theme and variations. It also a sound quality which avoids overuse of the Bayan, has light, precise strokes (Bols),.soft and esoteric temperament and style of playing, strokes like “dha,” “tita,” “tirakita,” and “tinakena” are prominent. Dilli Gharana has strict rules about how Kaydas are expanded, and even the expansion of the Peshkaar is similar to that of a Kayda. Normally, tabla players have liberty in Peshkaar but in Dilli gharana it is played like a Kayda, and Kayda means “rule,” implying that it is strict.
The expansion has to be in the sequence of Bols found in the Mukh. The heirs of Dilli gharana went on to establish other tabla traditions. Several prominent Tabla players of Dilli Gharana are : Ustad Nathu Khan (1875–1940), Gamay Khan (1883–1958), Ustad Munnu Khan (the three brothers) and Ustad Gamay Khan’s son Ustad Inam Ali Khan (1924–1986), his son Gulam Haider Khan, and Asif Ali Khan, Pandit Chatur Lal (1924–1966), Ustad Latif Ahmed Khan (1942-1989) and his sons Akbar Latif Khan and Babar Latif Khan, as well as Canadian Tabla player and vocalist Cassius Khan.
Many Delhiwallas (Ok Delhites now) will recall a name associated with Tabla conjuring, a maestro who walked with gentle strides the Delhi mehfils for years before his untimely death. With an ever smiling face and calm demeanor, without the customary trappings of accomplished Tabla exponents was a person who was equally at ease with lay spectators and erudite scholars. One of the leading exponents of the Dilli Gharana Tabla, son and disciple of Chhamma Khan.- Ustad Shafaat Ahmed Khan (1954-2005).
His presence on stage was so friendly and disarming that once the magical fingers started their dance on the Tabla, all who were witnesses, suddenly woke up and took notice. Gradually with a gentle smile he would mesmerize every single one present. His style was so enchanting that no one could remain unaffected. The audience felt a strange alignment where him. The player, instrument, the listener all began to flow in the current of music. If any Tabla from India, could claim, all at one go, to be smooth, soothing, eternal, yet disciplined it was his. He seemed to be eminently reachable to all and sundry. Such was his allure that other musicians would contest amongst one another to have him accompany in a recital.
He performed in concerts all around the world with artistes like Ravi Shankar, Nikhil Banerjee, Shivkumar Sharma, Amjad Ali Khan, Bhimsen Joshi, Jasraj, Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Kishori Amonkar, Birju Maharaj, besides performances as solo artist. Shafaat Ahmed Khan also played various Taal Vaidya Kacheris and Jugalbandis. He played with Carnatic artists like Vikku Vinayakram, Lalgudi Jayaraman, Balamurali Krishna, Vellore Ramabhadran, Sivamani, Shankar Mahadevan and others. Internationally. Shafaat Ahmed Khan was popular among artists because of his humble nature and down to earth attitude. He never let fame go to his head and always remained unassuming. Shafaat Ahmed Khan was the recipient of “Padma Shri” in 2003, amongst numerous awards.
Alas, God possibly wanted him desperately, to play in heaven. He died on 24 July 2005 at a relatively young age of 51. He had been diagnosed with acute Hepatitis-B. Delhi lost one of its greatest sons. Its but a bliss that his music lives on!-(By-S.Mukherjree
