Gharana
Gharana, ( Hindi: “family” or “lineage”) in Hindustani music of India, a community of performers who share a distinctive musical style that traces to a particular instructor or region. The notion of a gharana arose in the 19th century, but it was not until the 20th century that the gharana took shape as a veritable system for the transmission of classical music. The system emerged as a means by which musicians could maintain their artistic authority—through emphasis of the lineage—in an era of declining court patronage. In the 21st century the gharana system remains a vital force in the validation of North Indian classical musicians.
Padmabushan Pannalal Ghosh (1911-1960). The founder of Indian the bansuri flute in Indian classical music. Before his time the bansuri was used in folk music only.
“It is well known that Kolkata is one of the central hubs for North Indian classical music. Kolkata is also home to a uniquely historical flute lineage.”
Pandit Gour Goswami (1922-1976)- guru of my guru (Pandit Gopal Roy). Gour Goswami was a disciple of Pannalal Ghosh
The Bengal flute lineage, or "Gayaki Flute Parampara", whose founder was the legendary Pannalal Ghosh, is purely from the Maihar Gharana in it's origins. This lineage has a distinctive sound that is rarely heard today, a style of Bansuri playing that incorporates a Gayaki Khyal structure (the structure and style of Khyal Vocal music). The rich confluence of traditional approaches in our lineage has evolved as a unique sound on Bansuri that conveys depth and grandeur.
Eric Fraser's guru (teacher), Pandit Gopal Roy
As Indian classical music is an oral tradition that can only be transmitted in person from gurus to disciples, it is important to mention the sources of taleem (oral teaching) that have converged in our gharana (lineage). The legendary founder of the bansuri in classical Indian music, Pannalal Ghosh, was a disciple of Ustad Allaudin Khan, the founder of the Maihar Gharana. Pandit Gour Goswami was a disciple of Pannalal Ghosh, and he became the guru of my guru, Pandit Gopal Roy, and Steve Gorn.
My guru, Pandit Gopal Roy, is also a disciple of the late Pt. Srikant Bakre, who was a leading disciple of the legendary Ustad Amir Khan.