#gharana

The Patiala Gharana is one of the most distinguished schools of Indian classical music, particularly in the realm of Hindustani classical vocal music. Originating from the princely state of Patiala in Punjab, this gharana has made significant contributions to the rich tapestry of Indian music.

Pandit Balabhau Umdekar Kundalguru, the esteemed founder of Chatur Academy of Indian Music, is celebrated for his extraordinary contributions to Indian classical music. A legendary maestro, his teachings and legacy continue to inspire and shape future generations, making him a monumental figure in the realm of traditional Indian music education.

Pandit Balabhau Umdekar was born on August 5, 1901, to the celebrated musician Pt. Nattubhaiya Umdekar. Tragically, he lost his father at the tender age of five, forcing him to embark on his musical journey alone. Despite the harsh conditions, including freezing mornings where he would use two puppies to keep warm on his way to training, he remained dedicated. He would leave early and return late, receiving rigorous training under legendary maestros such as the late Balasaheb Guruji, Ustad Nissar Hussain Khan Saheb, and Pt. Mahadev Shastri.

Pt. Balabhau Umdekar was appointed as the court musician for the Gwalior Court of the Scindias, where he became one of the highest-paid musicians of his time. His house was filled with gold utensils, gold items, and jewelry, reflecting his success and prestige. His musical prowess was matched by his wife, Radhabai Umdekar, a proficient sitar player. They had six children, all of whom became accomplished musicians: Late Smt. Sangeeta Kathale (SumanUmdekar ), a famous vocalist; Late Smt.Vimal Belapurkar, a violin player; Late Smt.Indumati Telang, a sitarist; Late Smt.Kamal Mandal, a vocalist;Late Pt.Madhav Umdekar, a renowned vocalist; and Pt.Shriram Umdekar, a top-grade artist skilled in Rudra Veena, Surbahar, and Sitar. Today, Pt. Shriram Umdekar's daughter Dr.Radhika Veenasadhika first lady Vichitra Veena Player and Smt.Geetika Masurkar a known vocalist and granddaughter Miss Aarohi Budhkar Vichitra Veena Player continue Pt.Balabhau Umdekar "Kundalguru"'s legacy.

Pt.Balabhau Umdekar trained many famous students, including Pt.Sharadchandra Shridhar Paranjape, Pt.Bhaskarrao Sangit, Pt.Babu Shastri, Pt.Gangadhar Bhagwat, and Pt.Raghunandan Sant. In 1927, he founded the Chatur Academy of Indian Music and authored over 15 books. He also established the Chatur Sangit Mahavidyalay, contributing significantly to Indian classical music education. Pt.Balabhau Umdekar passed away on 8th June 1968 due to illness. His Chatur Academy's legacy lives on through the Veena Venu Art Foundation, continuing to inspire and nurture future generations of musicians. Even today, the Pt. Balabhau Umdekar Smruti Sangeet Samaroh is celebrated in his memory by his son, Pt. Shriram Umdekar.

On last saturday, my friend suggested a trip to Gharana Wetland.

He and me rode on Royal Enfield Meteor 350 joyfully with a Go Pro camera with us. On way he told me that this place was about 35 km far from Jammu city and it is located near Indo - Pak border in R S Pura Tehsil of Jammu Distt .

It is barely 4 km away from Suchetgarh border. He told me that Gharana Wetland has an international recognition. It is one of the important bird areas in the world declared by the Bird Life International (UK) and also by the Bombay Natural History Society.

This wetland is located along Central Asian Flyway. Looking into its importance it has been notified as Wetland Conservation Reserve under J&K Wildlife Protection Act 1978.

But on asking where do the birds come from, he told me that these migratory birds are from Central Asia , Mongolia , Russia , China etc. Most of these birds reach there between the last week of October and the first week of November. The maximum number of birds which may go upto 5000 can be seen in December and January, but between ending February and first week of March they start returning back to their native places.

The different type of species which may go around 90 are bar-headed geese , common teals , gadwallas , purple swamp-hens , green shanks flocks , indian morhens etc.

While we were about to reach Gharana Wetland , my friend told me that it had the unique characteristic of being the only one Wetland in the world where bird watchers can watch from a close distance such bird species which have the capacity to fly high and reach high altitudes .

All this narration made me excited and much curious to see all this myself . By then we arrived at the periphery of the Wetland and could see the signage of Department of Wildlife Protection with names of species on it.

Signage of Department Of Wildlife Protection

We parked our Royal Enfield Meteor 350 and entered the Gharana Wetland. I was awestruck with magnificent view that opened in front of me , a reservoir of biodiversity with hundreds and hundreds of birds were in front of me which I had never seen before . I was thrilled to see all this. I could hear chirping and chattering of birds all around me.

I wondered that how these birds travelled thousands of miles to reach Gharana Wetland. At the same time I saw a flock of birds flying high in front of me chirping sweetly in their own way.

Flock of birds flying.

Using Binoculars I also saw Pak post from the Wetland where I was told some birds fly at night and return in the morning. Meanwhile it was about to get dark and we had to return.

On way , the images of the place were still flashing in front of me. It left me thinking that how good it would be that we humans also learn to live together and give a message that world is one family .It was indeed a journey of a lifetime and undoubtedly a wonderful trip.



Patiala is considered a branch of the Delhi gharana. Though essentially a sarangi gharana, the Patiala style achieved its all-round distinction and excellence in the hands of its greatest and yet-to-be-surpassed genius, Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan (1901-1969).

The word "Gharana" literally means "House" and it implies the house of the teacher. It is linked to the very ancient concept of the Guru-Shishya-Parampara (linage of teacher or disciple) but with some interesting modern twists.