Four words every Hindustani vocal student hears early on. What do they mean, and how are they different?
Four forms of Hindustani vocal music
Students often hear the words dhrupad, khayal, thumri and dadra in the first months of classes. Here is a simple guide to what each one is. Historical details are traditional accounts, and teachers may tell the story slightly differently.
Dhrupad
Dhrupad is one of the oldest forms. It is serious and devotional in mood, with a long, slow alap that explores the raga using syllables, followed by a fixed composition. It is traditionally accompanied by the pakhawaj and is associated with the royal courts of north India, such as Gwalior.
Khayal
The word khayal means imagination, and the form gives the singer more freedom. A khayal usually has a slow part (vilambit) and a faster part (drut), with improvised alap, bol-alap and taans, usually with tabla. It is traditionally linked with the Mughal courts of the eighteenth century, and today it is the most common concert form of Hindustani vocal music.
Thumri
Thumri is a semi-classical form. It is lyrical and emotional, often about love or devotion, and the singer shows the feeling of each word through small variations. It is associated with the traditions of Lucknow and Benares, and uses ragas such as Kafi, Khamaj and Bhairavi.
Dadra
Dadra is a light classical form set to a six-beat tala, also called dadra. It is simpler and more song-like than thumri, and the two are often sung together. Tappa, Hori, Chaiti and Kajri are other light classical forms you may hear.
A quick comparison
| Form | Mood and style |
|---|---|
| Dhrupad | Serious and devotional, long slow alap, pakhawaj |
| Khayal | Flexible and imaginative, slow and fast sections, tabla |
| Thumri | Emotional and romantic or devotional, semi-classical |
| Dadra | Light and song-like, six-beat tala |
Where Rabindra Sangeet fits: Tagore drew on dhrupad, khayal and other traditions. This is why university curricula such as RBU's include dhrupad and khayal-based Rabindra Sangeet. At Surmandal we teach classical and semi-classical vocal and Rabindra Sangeet side by side.