To answer your queries-1) yes – Masitkhani gats are played in slow or Vilambit laya
while Razakhani gats are played in Drut or fast laya. 2) Bol patterns are distinctly
different. While M. Khani gats have a clear distinct bol pattern
Razakhani gats also have fixed pattern with slight flexibility Both Gats are played only
in tritaal. The bols start from 12 th. matra. Razakhani gats also have a prescribed bol
pattern which is also fixed but with slight variations permitted according to the melodic
mould of the related gat. 3)as mentioned M. Khani gats start from 12 th. matra. Also
as mentioned Razakhani gats could start from the sam or khali or even 7 th matra of
Trital. Both the gats are played only in Trital- though one of our past students had
found some M. gats in Ektal as well during her research on sitar.
Q56
My question is very basic - almost dumb! - what is Razakhani gat and how it differs
from Masitkhani. Is it due to
a. Tempo
b. Bol patterns or
c. Utthan from A particular matra
Or all these factors designed in A particular manner?
Pranam Guruji
In connection to the bol patterns
2) is it fair to say that there are 2 kinds of vilambit laya gats
a) masitkhani gat ( with specific mizrab bol patterns introduced by ustd Masit Khan)
b vilambit gat ( without specific mizrab bols) ?
And 2 kinds of fast tempo gats
a) razakhani gat ( with specific mizrab bol patterns introduced by Ustd Raza Khan)
a) drut gat ( without specific mizrab bols)?
Sincere regards
Your question no. 3 )I think does require response.
Ashwin- I am glad you have raised this question. I don’t call gats which don’t follow M.
Khani bol patterns as M. Khani gats. They are just Vilambit gats. Similarly gats which
do not follow Razakhani no patterns should be just called Drut gats. I also feel that
Razakhani gats closely followed bandish ki thumri melodic structure to start with. We
find this pattern in so many old Razakhani gats- both sitar and Sarod gats. But later
this changed partially because may be- due to the influence of gaykie ang in
instrumental music
Thanks both of you for giving me an opportunity to learn typing with the use only of
the thumb which is now complaining about fatigue.
Thank you so much Guruji for the explanation.
Meena ji- while going through this morning ‘s exchange, in which you mention that
your question may be basic or dumb, I remembered an old saying -You get prideand
jealousy when you think that you have something great. You get respect and honour
when others say that you have done some thing great. Hence self assessment may
be sometimes grossly faulty.
Meena ji – you are making a statement which contradicts reality
But it helps keep the fire burning to know more and retain my status as A ‘good
student.’
This praiseworthy approach is a distinct sign of humility
Also A realisation – how little we know about the subject we pursue so passionately all
our lives.