Sikar Gharana Ensemble - Music From the Royal Courts of India

Sikar Gharana: Preserving the Musical Legacy of Ustad Azim Khan

The Sikar Gharana, rooted in the historic city of Sikar, Rajasthan, stands as a testament to the region's rich musical heritage. The root of the tradition lies in the legacy of the esteemed Ustad Azim Khan, a court musician for the Maharaja of Sikar before the year 1947.

Ustad Azim Khan was a virtuoso of the sarangi and sitar, captivating audiences with his soulful renditions that conveyed messages of peace and love. He held the distinguished title of "Ustad," or Master Musician, a testament to his unparalleled skills and contributions to the musical landscape.

The legacy of Ustad Azim Khan continues to thrive through his sons, Majid Khan, Gulab Khan, Rehman Khan, Imam-u-din Khan, and his grandson, Imran Khan. These talented musicians have carried forward the Sikar Gharana's traditions, performing Rajasthani folk music on various platforms and preserving the region's rich musical and cultural heritage.

Instruments by Musicians of Sikar Gharana

Sarangi - Mimic of Human Inflections

With its origin in North India, Sarangi is a short-necked, bowed string instrument. This unique instrument has a rich history and cultural significance, evolving to become a beloved part of traditional Rajasthani folk music. The sarangi's distinctive shape and construction are deeply symbolic, with the instrument carved from a single block of cedar wood and featuring a box-like design with three hollow chambers. These chambers are named the "pet" (stomach), "chhati" (chest), and "magaj" (brain), reflecting the instrument's connection to the human body. The word "sarangi" itself means "from head to toe," further emphasizing this organic, embodied quality.

Traditionally, the sarangi has three main playing strings, but it can also feature up to 37 sympathetic strings that add depth and resonance to the instrument's sound. This versatility allows the sarangi to closely mimic the human voice, making it an ideal companion for vocal music. The instrument's ability to replicate the subtle nuances of "gamak" and "meend" further enhances its expressive capabilities. The sarangi's evolution is closely tied to the Mughal rule in India, with the instrument undergoing various modifications and refinements during this period. Its unique sound and cultural significance have made the sarangi an enduring and beloved part of North Indian musical traditions.

The Sitar- Star of Indian Musical Heritage

The introduction of Sitar in India is traced back to 1700s. The invention of Sitar is attributed to the legend Amir Khushru. The word Sitar is inferred from the Persian word ‘ Sehtar’ which means three-stringed. It is one of the dominant instruments used in Hindustani music and other folk music practices like in Rajasthan’s Sikar Gharana. It can be played solo or with accompanying instruments like sarangi, tabla, and dholak.

It is believed that the most renowned Sitar makers in India come from Miraj, a city located in the southern Maharashtrian region.  Sitar was initially prepared from Teak wood, but in contemporary times, the use of Indian rosewood or Tun wood is prevailing. The average length of a sitar is about 4 feet(1.2 m). Generally, all parts of the instrument come from a single wooden trunk. This trunk is processed in the sawmill and parts like Dandi, Pta , Tabli, Gullu and Tumba are made.