The concept of “Gharanas” in vocal music started way back in the 13th century and the Gwalior Gharana , one of the foremost in vocal music was established in the 16 th century. The musical stalwarts of those days were under the patronage of various kings and thus formed a gharana named after that particular region . Also travel being quite difficult and rare in those days each gharana could maintain its individuality and there was hardly any intermingling.

The harmonium, comparatively, is still in its early days ,being only about 150 years old only . It is only recently that it is getting some respectability as a solo instrument. Also today the world has become a small place and exchange of ideas occur frequently. Thus “Gharanas“, in its truest sense, are unlikely to appear in the field of harmonium . However , individual variations still do exist in the approach to presenting this so called “limited” instrument as a solo performance. Some try to create a continuity in their presentation while others highlight the “cut note“ nature of the instrument. Some try to go close to vocal music while others develop a totally distinct style of playing . Some explore the grandeur of Khayals in slow tempo while others explore some extremely intricate fast pieces akin to the drut gats of the sitar. Besides classical many have focused on semi classical thumris and dadras while some are masters in Natya sangeet or abhangs (both traditional forms in Maharashtra)