What is Khayal Music?

Khayal is a unique form of classical Indian music that finds its roots in Sufi Islamic traditions .

• The emergence of Khayal is traced back to the late 16th century when Sufi musicians from the Delhi and Jaunpur regions incorporated the cutkula form into devotional forms like the Persian qaul and tarana.
• Niyamat Khan “Sadarang,” a well-known dhrupad vocalist and player at the court of Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah “Rangila,” played a vital role in the evolution of khayal.
• Sadarang blended some melodic movements from dhrupad with khayal compositions, which were usually performed at a slow pace.
• Today, this slow composition, referred to as the vilambit bandish, forms a critical part of khayal music.
• Khayal is derived from the Persian/Arabic word that signifies imagination.
• This form of Hindustani music is characterized by romantic poetry and offers the performer more liberty of expression than dhrupad.
• Khayal performances usually feature a tabla and a tanpura, played in various talas (metric cycles).
• The Gwalior Gharana is believed to be the most ancient of the Khayal Gharanas.
• Some of the renowned Khayal singers of the current era include Bhimsen Joshi, Prabha Atre, Ajoy Chakrabarty, and Gangubai Hangal, to name a few.

The Relevance of Historical Narratives:

• The development of khayal music underscores the syncretic aspect of Indian culture, where individuals from diverse religious backgrounds were drawn to the genre. Hereditary khayal musicians even imparted their knowledge to individuals outside their families, including Hindus.
• Khayal, as a case study, exemplifies the syncretic nature of Indian culture and the interfaith harmony that prevailed in the past.
• Many believe that studying such historical narratives is vital for preserving the diversity and pluralism that characterizes Indian culture.