First appeared in www.scroll.in on November 29, 2014.

In the second part of the series on tappa, we focus on Banaras gharana exponents. The elaboration of the tappa in the Banaras gayaki or vocal style is quite different from the Gwalior style, although the compositions created by Shori Miyan in Punjabi are common to both gharanas. The Banaras gharana vocalists seem to prefer the 16-count or matra taal called Sitarkhani or Addha.

We begin with a tappa set to the 16 matra Sitarkhani or Addha taal sung by Siddheshwari Devi (c.1907/08-1977).  The descriptor mentions that this tappa is in raag Jhinjhoti, but the track displays characteristics of raag Khamaj.

Tappas are normally found in raags like Kafi, Khamaj, and Bhairavi.  Here is a Kafi tappa set to Sitarkhani taal sung by Rasoolan Bai, a contemporary of Siddheshwari Devi.

Tapkhayal is a compound form incorporating elements from tappa and khayal. Girija Devi sings a tapkhayal in raag Yaman set to Sitarkhani taal. She is accompanied by scholar-musician and revered teacher Jnan Prakash Ghosh on the harmonium and Banaras gharana maestro Mahapurush Mishra on the tabla.

Next week, we will listen to other presentations of tappa.