My beloved Guruji of Dhrupad Sangeet (music) I pay my sincere pranams to you. Guruji was an elder and maestro in the art of music, of Dhrupad, and yet also of showing life through music. He was a master in his voice, in his renditions, in his teaching skills. He took me under his wings when I did not know what style of music I wanted to study, even though women to not generally study this art form.
His love and soft patience with me, while I listened carefully and tried to mimic his refined voice was the saving grace to my studies and inspiration. Without his grace and patience I would never have believed in music to the depth I have today. He believed that sound vibration, pure sound vibratioin could heal and change us. He healed me, and allowed me to find my voice in depths and shades, thus opening my heart!
He is followed by his beloved sons who are world renowned Dhrupad artists.
About Darbhanga Gharana
The Mallik Family is the leading representative of the court music tradition of Darbhanga, a former state in the north-eastern corner of India, close to the Nepalese border. They retrace their line to the singers Late Pt. Radhakrishna and Kartaram, who arrived at the Court of Darbhanga in the 18th century after having studied over twenty-five years with Lt. Ustad Bhupat Khan, a descendant of the famous Mughal court singer Tansen. At the time the region of Darbhanga had suffered a period of famine and severe drought. The brothers offered help and began singing Raaga Megh (the magical raga of rain), producing a heavy downpour instantly. Gratefully the maharaja Madhav Singh granted them several villages and the surrounding land where the family resides until today. They became not only landowners (”Mallik”=”Owner”) but also the Mallik family provided the chief court musicians for the Maharajas of Darbhanga. After the abolition of the Royal Courts following the Indian independence in 1947, the Malliks embarked on public concerts career which made them known all over India and abroad.
The Malliks are famous all over the World for a very rhythmically elaborated interpretation of Dhrupad. Except for old Dhrupad and Dhamar compositions – of which they possess an unparalleled stock – they are also known for their exposition of Khyal, Taranas, Ghazals, Bhajans and songs of the medieval poet Vidyapati in Thumri style.
