Bishnupur Malla Gharana Dhrupad Classical Music West Bengal

Bishnupur in Bankura district West Bengal is the origin of the Bishnupur Malla Gharana, one of the oldest and most distinctive schools of Dhrupad classical music in India, established under patronage of the Malla kings between the 15th and 18th centuries. The gharana developed in the terracotta temple complex of Bishnupur where professional musician communities (gandharba) were employed by the Malla royal court. The Bishnupur style is characterised by sustained alap phrases in slow-speed Chautal or Dhamar tala, use of specific ragas associated with Vaishnav devotional themes, and performance of Radha-Krishna compositions. Cooperative musician families in Bishnupur town train students under gurukul residential method. Rabindra Bharati University and ITC-Sangeet Research Academy both operate training programmes rooted in the Bishnupur tradition. Annual Bishnupur Mahotsav classical music festival is a major destination event.