Khayal-Events in London

Khayal, meaning "imagination" in Arabic, is the dominant genre of Hindustani classical vocal music, having emerged as a more flexible and ornamental successor to the austere Dhrupad tradition in the 18th century. Performances typically center on a lead vocalist accompanied by the melodic support of a harmonium or sarangi, the rhythmic pulse of the tabla, and the meditative drone of the tanpura. The genre is characterized by its two-part structure—the slow, expansive Vilambit and the virtuosic, fast-paced Drut—which allow for extensive improvisation within the framework of a specific raga and tala. Emotionally diverse and intellectually rigorous, khayal bridges the gap between ancient Vedic chant traditions and the expressive lyricism of modern North Indian art music.