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Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur, the famous classical singer from Karnataka, represented the:

  1. Agra Gharana
  2. Gwalior Gharana
  3. Patiala Gharana
  4. Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana

Explanation

Option (d) is correct
  • Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur was a legendary Hindustani classical vocalist from Karnataka and a distinguished exponent of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana. While he received some of his earliest training in the Gwalior Gharana style under Pandit Nilakanthabua Alurmath, he is renowned globally as a doyen of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana. He was especially known for mastery over rare ragas (aprachalit ragas) specific to this tradition, intricate melodic patterns, powerful and expressive khayal singing. He learned the intricacies of this gharana from Ustad Manji Khan and Ustad Burji Khan, who were the sons of the gharana’s founder, Ustad Alladiya Khan.
  • Note: Aspirants should understand that questions of this nature are often meant to increase the paper’s depth and maintain cutoff balance. One should avoid mechanically memorising every artist-gharana combination. At the same time, this particular fact is directly covered in the PMF IAS Art & Culture book, showing the importance of having a strong command over standard sources. However, preparation should not remain limited only to static material. At the same time, students should avoid unnecessary guesswork in such highly specific cultural questions if they lack sufficient clarity or the ability to eliminate options. UPSC rewards intelligent risk management as much as knowledge. If an aspirant is not reasonably confident, it is often better to leave the question and move to the next one rather than lose marks through blind guessing.

Additional Information: Gharanas of Hindustani Music

  • Gharanas refer to the musical lineage of Hindustani musicians, each representing a style that distinguishes them from the other. The word gharana is derived from the Hindi word ‘ghar’ (‘house’) and refers to the place of origin of a particular musical ideology. Each gharana is associated with a particular region and has a lineage of musicians who transmitted their musical knowledge through generations.
    • Gharanas play a crucial role in transmitting and preserving Hindustani classical music.
    • Rigorous training under master musicians enables a disciple to inherit the technical aspects of music and its aesthetic sensibilities, improvisational techniques, and repertoire.
    • Gharanas also serve as repositories of centuries-old musical knowledge while remaining dynamic and adaptable to changing artistic trends.
    • The Gwalior gharana is considered as the oldest gharana.
  • Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana: This gharana originated in the princely state of Jaipur in Rajasthan and was founded by Ustad Alladiya Khan. It is known for its adherence to the principles of raga purity, intricate ornamentation called gamak, and emotive expression. Its unique way of singing, called Khayal, with a focus on adding detailed decorations and complex rhythms to the music, is well known. Exponents include vocalists such as Kishori Amonkar and Mallikarjun Mansur.
  • Gwalior Gharana: It is the oldest and most traditional school of Hindustani classical music. Ustad Hassu Khan and Ustad Haddu Khan are regarded as the founders of the Gwalior Gharana. Gwalior Gharana emphasises the purity of ragas and adheres to the traditional approach of ‘gayaki’ or singing style.
  • Agra Gharana: It is based in Agra, Uttar Pradesh and traces its lineage to Ustad Ghagge Nazir Khan. The Agra Gharana emphasises clarity of diction, precision in rhythmic patterns, and a repertoire that includes classical Khayals and semi-classical forms such as Thumri and Dadra. Notable exponents include vocalists such as Ustad Faiyaz Khan, Ustad Vilayat Hussain Khan, and Ustad Khadim Hussain Khan.
  • Patiala Gharana: It is rooted in the princely state of Patiala in Punjab and traces lineage to Ustad Ali Baksh and Ustad Fateh Ali Khan. It is characterised by its robust and emotive renditions and compositions in both classical and semi-classical genres, reflecting the diverse cultural influences of the Punjab region. The technique of the Patiala gharana is characterised by a gentle approach, intricate vocal embellishments, and a rich repertoire of bandishes (structured summaries of ragas). Exponents include Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Ustad Barkat Ali Khan, and Ustad Amanat Ali Khan.
Answer: (d) Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana; Difficulty Level: Hard
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