Ravindranath was influenced by which Gharana?

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Accepted Answer

The correct option is (2):
Rabindranath Tagore was profoundly influenced by the **Vishnupur Gharana**, also known as the Bishnupur Gharana, which was an integral part of the musical environment at the Jorasanko Thakur Bari in Bengal. This gharana, stemming from Bishnupur in West Bengal, specializes in the Dhrupad and Dhāmar styles of Hindustani classical music. Eminent maestros of this gharana, such as Jadu Bhatta and Radhika Prasad Goswami, were appointed as music teachers in the Tagore household, providing young Rabindranath with his foundational classical training. The Dhrupad's aesthetic—with its emphasis on the purity of Raga, emotional depth, and a structured compositional framework (*sthāyī, antarā, sañcārī, ābhoga*)—was absorbed by Tagore and seamlessly fused with his lyrical poetry and folk tunes, forming the unique structure and measured ornamentation of Rabindra Sangeet.

The incorrect option is (1):
The Kirana Gharana, founded and popularized by Ustad Abdul Karim Khan in the 20th century, is renowned for its specific *Khayal* style. Its central philosophy emphasizes the absolute purity of the *swara* (note) and an extremely slow, meditative development of the *raga* in *vilambit* (slow) tempo. While Rabindra Sangeet uses many classical ragas, the slow, virtuosic, note-by-note elaboration characteristic of Kirana was not the primary, formative influence on Tagore's compositional approach. Tagore's musical roots were firmly established much earlier in the Dhrupad tradition prevalent in Bengal, which provided the structural foundation for his songs.

The incorrect option is (3):
The Gwalior Gharana is one of the oldest and most fundamental Khayal gharanas in Hindustani classical music. Its style is known for its clear, open, and robust singing, with a strong emphasis on disciplined, structured *taans* (fast melodic figures) and a linear development of the raga. While its influence is pervasive across Hindustani music, the specific aesthetic of the Gwalior style, with its focus on complex and rapid *bol-taans*, did not directly inspire the gentler, more lyrical vocalism of Rabindra Sangeet. Tagore's music prioritizes the emotional sentiment of the poetry over the technical virtuosity of the Gwalior tradition.

The incorrect option is (4):
The Mewati Gharana, an offshoot of the Gwalior tradition, became highly prominent in the late 20th century and is recognized for its deeply emotional and devotional delivery, often featuring a soft, almost *bhajan*-like quality. Geographically, it is associated with Western India (Rajasthan/Maharashtra), and chronologically, its distinct style solidified well after Tagore's main period of musical composition. Therefore, its specific stylistic elements were not present in the Kolkata musical milieu to act as a direct, foundational influence on the creation and development of Rabindra Sangeet.