Book Review: Gharanas of Indian Music by Sadakat Aman Khan

There are books that inform, books that document, and then there are books that quietly reshape how you think about an entire art form. Gharanas of Indian Music by Sadakat Aman Khan belongs firmly to the last category. It feels less like a reference manual and more like being personally guided through centuries of Indian classical music by someone who has lived, breathed, and inherited its nuances.

From the opening pages, there is a striking sincerity in the writer’s voice. Khan begins not as an academic, but as a practitioner. He understands that the stories behind India’s gharanas are woven from migration, memory, genius, discipline, devotion, and royal patronage. His Writer’s Note sets the tone with clarity. This is a book written by a student who refuses to stop being a student, even while becoming a teacher.

What makes this book stand out is not just its detail but its storytelling. In the chapter on the Agra Gharana, for instance, Khan does not simply list names and dates. He narrates a journey that begins in Devagiri, moves into the musical and political heart of Delhi, and then arrives in Agra carrying the artistic legacy of figures like Amir Khusro, Haji Sujan Khan, and Ghagge Khudabaksh. The chapter reads almost like historical literature, yet every event is grounded in research and tradition.

The same richness of detail appears throughout the book. The section on the Ajrada tradition decodes the intellectual architecture of tabla playing and reveals a style built on clarity, mathematical precision, and refined technique. The Benaras chapter immerses the reader in the city’s musical spirituality and explores how Ram Sahai’s months of intense study resulted in a tabla style known for both power and delicacy.

What becomes clear is that each gharana is treated not as a category but as a character with its own temperament, values, and artistic philosophy. Bhendi Bazar emerges as a story of breath control, melodic purity, and scholarly discipline. Betia becomes an account of poetic restraint and royal devotion. Bishnupur is presented with the calm sweetness and intellectual depth that Bengal has always brought to its musical culture.

Khan’s writing shines in its balance. The scholarship is thorough, the tone accessible, and the anecdotes engaging. Technical concepts such as merukhand patterns, gamaks, or layakari are presented clearly without overwhelming the general reader. At the same time, an experienced musician or musicologist will find more than enough substance.

If there is a small critique, it is only that the author occasionally steps back too far from his personal experience. Given his own lineage and immersion in classical music, a few more reflections from his lived journey could have added warmth. Yet this restraint also keeps the focus firmly on the traditions he aims to honour.

By the time the reader reaches the final pages, the book leaves a lasting impact. It encourages you to listen more attentively, to appreciate the lineage behind every note, and to recognise the centuries of dedication that shaped these musical traditions.

Gharanas of Indian Music is a valuable contribution to the world of Indian classical music literature. It is thoughtful, carefully researched, vivid in its storytelling, and deeply respectful of the art it represents. It is a book for students, teachers, performers, and anyone who believes that music is not only heard but inherited.

While reading the book, it also becomes clear how deeply Khan’s musical education and academic roots inform his approach. At KIIT University, where he once coordinated Korus, the institution’s music and dance society, his work had already begun attracting attention. Dr. Shyam Sundar, Deputy Director at KIIT, recalled receiving an early copy of the book with particular pride, noting how Khan’s grounding in both performance and research shaped his sensitivity to lineage. His comment feels less like institutional endorsement and more like recognition of a student whose curiosity evolved into a lifetime pursuit.