At the heart of India, Gwalior isn’t just a city of ancient forts and palaces; it’s a musical marvel, a timeless melody echoing through centuries, earning it the title of “City of Music” by UNESCO. This accolade, which was bestowed in November 2023, is a monument to Gwalior’s rich musical legacy, lively present, and unshakable dedication to conserving and developing the art of music in all its forms. Let’s look at Gwalior’s musical history to see what makes it deserving this prestigious title.
The Historic Gwalior Gharana
The famed “Gwalior Gharana,” one of the oldest and most prominent gharanas of Hindustani classical music, was nurtured in Gwalior during the Mughal Empire. For years, audiences have been drawn by this unusual style, distinguished by a concentration on vocal purity, exquisite elaboration, and tremendous emotion. Tansen, the “court musician” of Emperor Akbar, and Tan Sen’s apprentice, Baiju Bawra, solidified Gwalior’s reputation as a breeding ground for musical innovation. Gwalior’s musical tapestry reaches far beyond classical gharanas. The city has a thriving folk music culture, where lyrical ballads like Malwa Geet and Alha-Udal recount stories of love, valor, and the region’s rich cultural legacy. Devotional music, too, has a voice in Gwalior, with temple and ashram chants and hymns lending a layer of spiritual depth to the city’s musical landscape.
Gwalior’s Music Festivals, Institutions and More
Gwalior’s dedication to music is shown in the several institutions committed to its preservation and dissemination. Tansen National Music Festival, conducted annually since 1956, exemplifies the city’s everlasting regard for its musical heritage. The Institute of Music and Fine Arts, Tansen School of Music, and Gwalior Gharana Music Academy are just a few examples of institutions that foster emerging talent and keep the artistic flame alive. Gwalior’s musical energy is not limited to musical events and institutions; it encompasses the entire city. The sounds of street musicians fill the air, their instruments weaving tales of love and longing into the bustling cityscape. Local artisans create instruments such as sitars and sarangis, passing down years of skill and tradition. Gwalior is said to buzz with a compelling beat in every corner, making it a city where music is more than simply an art form, but a way of life.
What does the title mean for Gwalior?
Gwalior’s newest title of the “City of Music” is more than just a tag. It’s a homage to a city that has cultivated and appreciated music for generations, a place where melody and rhythm are inseparably linked. It is a monument to its people’s passion, the strength of its history, and its unshakable commitment to ensuring that music continues to resonate in the hearts and minds of future generations. Gwalior, as UNESCO put it, “exemplifies the power of music to unite communities and foster creativity and innovation”. So, the next time you hear the captivating melodies of a sitar or the rhythmic rhythms of a dhol, remember Gwalior, the city where music is not simply heard, but lived, and where history’s symphony continues to play.
