Patiala conjures up an image of larger-than-life royalty, fine living, extravagance and magnificence. The Patiala darbar’s contribution to music resulted in the formation of Patiala gharana, whose gayaki has drama and thrilling forms like tappa. Ironically, the man most associated with the gharana, the great Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan (1902-1968), was from Kasur, and never lived in Patiala! His uncle, Ustad Kale Khan, apparently had a haveli near Sheranwala Gate, but never really lived in the city. The family’s base was Jammu, and they had been musicians in the court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Kathak dancer Manjari Chaturvedi has conceived a unique concept of combining storytelling, dance and music to present a picture of music in the royal darbars. “Our music would not have survived if no

See Full Page