In Urdu, ‘Khayal’ means creative thought. Hence, less rigid than dhrupad-singing. It is the most popular classical type of Hindustani vocal music. Sometimes, instrumentalists play in Khayal styles. There is no time-measure.
lit. thought, the dominant form in Hindustani music of the day
the main style of classical vocal performance in north India. Khayal places emphasis on presentation of compositions, and in improvisation.
Composition in Hindustani music, usually in a slow tempo, in which the artist uses a great deal of improvisation
Literally meaning imagination. Most popular genre in classical music since the 19th century. Replaced Dhrupad. Allows greater improvisation than Dhrupad.
Imagination ; elaboration of a raga with lyrical composition consisting of two stanzas.
A vocal genre featuring a composition of two parts followed by melodic and rhythmic improvisation.
Thought, idea, conception, imagination, lyric. Historically said to be a mixture of kawali and dhrupad styles. Compositions of khayal are now the most common form of presentation of classical Hindustani music covering aspects such as love, separation, the seasons and praise of various gods and goddesses. A performance normally consists of bada or main khayal sung in slow speed followed by chota or short khayal sung in faster tempo. Khayal has two sections called stai and antara and the presentation of these parts depends on the gharana or style of the artist.
Literally meaning imagination. Most popular genre in classical music since the 19th century. Allows greater scope for improvisation than Dhrupad.
