The founder of Raigarh Gharana of Kathak was:

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 4:
Raja Chakradhar Singh.
This option is correct because the Raigarh Gharana of Kathak was established under the direct and scholarly patronage of Raja Chakradhar Singh, the ruler of the princely state of Raigarh (modern-day Chhattisgarh). As a great connoisseur and scholar of music and dance, he systematically invited master Kathak dancers and Pakhawaj players from both the Lucknow and Jaipur Gharanas to his court, including celebrated artists like Pandit Jaichand Maharaj and Pandit Kartik Ram. His explicit goal was to synthesize the best elements of *Nritta* (pure dance) from Jaipur and *Abhinaya* (expressive dance) from Lucknow, creating a distinctive new style known for its intricate rhythmic compositions (*taals* and *parans*) and balance of the two core aspects of Kathak. He codified the principles and compositions himself, cementing his place as the founder and architect of this unique gharana.

The incorrect option is 1:
Gopikrishna.
Gopikrishna was a legendary and highly acclaimed Kathak dancer of the Banaras Gharana who rose to prominence in the mid-20th century, particularly known for his blistering speed and virtuosity in *Layakari*. While a prodigious performer and choreographer, he was an *exponent* of an existing tradition, not the founder of the Raigarh style. His primary lineage and association remained with the Banaras gharana, though his influence spread widely.

The incorrect option is 2:
Bindadin Maharaj.
Bindadin Maharaj was a towering figure of the Lucknow Gharana, whose contributions were instrumental in perfecting the *Abhinaya* and *Thumri* aspects of the Lucknow style during the 19th century. He, along with his brother Kalka Prasad, is considered a pillar of the Lucknow tradition, which is one of the three original schools of Kathak. His creative work is strictly linked to the Lucknow school, long before the Raigarh Gharana was formally established.

The incorrect option is 3:
Wajid Ali Shah.
Wajid Ali Shah was the last Nawab of Awadh and a famous patron of the arts in the 19th century. He is widely credited with providing the royal court patronage that allowed the Lucknow Gharana to flourish and achieve its distinctive elegance and grace. He was a generous *patron* and a poet who wrote many *Thumris* used in Kathak, but he was not the founder or *guru* of the Raigarh Gharana.