Why is it in the news?

• UNESCO added Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, to its Creative Cities Network (UCCN) for its commitment to culture and creativity.
• Kozikode from Kerala was also among the new cities to join the network.

Gwalior’s Musical Legacy

• Gwalior has a rich musical heritage, with a notable contribution to Indian classical music.
• The Gwalior gharana, the oldest musical gharana in India, flourished under Raja Man Singh Tomar in the 15th century.
• Dungarendra Singh Tomar, a musician, played a significant role in the revival of Indian classical music.
• Man Singh Tomar, known for inventing ‘dhrupad’, also contributed to the popularization of Indian music in Hindi.

Gwalior Gharana’s Significance

• Gwalior gharana is considered the first proper gharana of music, evolving under Mughal rule.
• It played a pivotal role in the development of khayal singing, incorporating elements of qawwali.
• Ustad Naththan Pir Baksh was instrumental in creating khayal, a structured system of presenting ragas.
• Persian words were integrated into musical compositions, and concepts like “bandish ki thumri” were introduced.
• Gwalior gharana’s techniques and nuances continue to influence students of Hindustani classical music today.

Mian Tansen, Gwalior’s Crown Musician

• Mian Tansen, born as Ramatanu, trained under Swami Haridas and was influenced by Sufi saint Mohommad Ghous.
• He was the court musician for King Ram Chandra Singh of Rewa and later joined Akbar’s court.
• Akbar’s admiration for Tansen is well-documented, and Tansen’s contributions are celebrated in Indian culture.

Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan and the Bangash Gharana

• Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan, a prominent musician from Gwalior, trained under Ustad Wazir Khan of Rampur, a descendant of Mian Tansen.
• He was a court musician in Gwalior and became a sought-after artist during music conferences in the early 20th century.
• Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan trained several significant musicians, including his son Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Pt. Bhimsen Joshi.