Dharwad Hindustani Music Kirana Gharana Karnataka

Dharwad in Karnataka is the cultural capital of Hindustani (North Indian classical) music in South India, home to the Kirana Gharana tradition established by the legendary vocalist Ustad Abdul Karim Khan (1872-1937), whose students — including Sawai Gandharva, Gangubai Hangal, Bhimsen Joshi, Mallikarjun Mansur, and Basavraj Rajguru — shaped the vocal music of 20th century India. Dharwad's position as a Hindustani music capital is unusual given its deep South India location, a result of the Nizam and Maratha court patronage network that made northern Karnataka a meeting point of Hindustani and Carnatic traditions. The Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Festival held annually at Pune is the most prestigious Hindustani classical music festival in India, originating from Dharwad's Kirana tradition. Gangubai Hangal's home is a heritage site. Dharwad Gurukul music schools and the Karnataka Sangeet Natak Akademi maintain the tradition. Dharwad also produces harmoniums used by Hindustani vocalists throughout India. The city's music culture is inseparable from its Kannada literary tradition (Masti, Shivarama Karanth, Girish Karnad all had Dharwad roots).