The Transmission of Hindustani Music in Gujarat through the Gurukul Dhrupad System and the University Institution
Abstract
This article is structured around an underlying double dichotomy that allows for the analysis of certain aspects observed in the contemporary transmission of Hindustani classical music in the state of Gujarat. On the one hand, it considers the two perhaps most paradigmatic genres of North India: dhrupad—older, although not frequently performed today and regarded as more sacred than others—and khayāl—currently predominant in concert halls and higher education institutions. On the other hand, it takes into account the traditional gurukul system of knowledge transmission, now in decline, and the modern, Western-inspired university model, which benefits from a considerable influx of students. The study is based on fieldwork conducted between 2023 and 2025 at Gujarat University, Baroda University, and various dhrupad gurukul spaces and contexts.
Keywords
Knowledge transmission, Gujerat, gurukul, university, dhrupad, khayal, Transformations of musical traditionReferences
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