Haveli Sangeet

Haveli Sangeet is a form of Hindustani classical music sung in havelis. The essential component is dhrupad. It originated in Govardhan,Mathura in Braj, northern India. It takes the form of devotional songs sung daily to Krishna by the Pushtimarg sect.

Basically, Haveli Sangeet is another name for Hindu temple music practiced by the followers of Vaishnavism of Nathdwara in Rajasthan, Gujarat, India, and considered a part of a rich historical tradition. Having its origin in Rajasthan and Gujarat, the Haveli music is believed to have an edge over dhrupad (the core of Indian classical music) for the common belief that the music has none other than Lord Krishna himself for an audience. Essentially a tribute to Krishna, its form includes devotional renditions like kirtans, bhajans and bhava nritya, all related to religious worship. Although a mix of classical and folk music, the style is inherently borrowed from the dhrupad and dhamar. Haveli Sangeet is commonly played at the many temples of India, like the Radha Vallabh of Vrindaban, Krishna of Nandgaon, Uttar Pradesh and Sri Nathji of Nathdwara, to name a few.^[1]

With the passage of time, the Haveli Sangeet lost its popularity in India and is almost extinct.^[1]

In Gujarat, one school of thought holds that Indian classical music has its origins in the Haveli Sangeet of Vallabha Acharya, a pioneer in this genre.^[2] The vallabhachrya's and his son gusai Shri vithhalnathji's disciples who are famous as a Astaskha/Astachhap ^[3] were the pioneer writer and singer of this pads. Surdasji, Nanddasji, chhitswami, Govindswami, krunsnadas, chaturbhujdas, kumbhandasji, parmananddas. Vishundas was first part of the astsakha but after his gau loka gaman, chaturbhujdas was added to astasakhas.

The history of Indian classical music has it that the Vaishnav of Nathdwara were the ones to uphold this sect founded by Vallabh Acharya.^[4]