Different styles in each form of Hindustani music been established by various Gharanas. Gharana precisely means tradition. The dictionary meaning of the word "tradition" its "oral transmission of knowledge or belief from one generation to another". As per colloquial use of the term in the field of music, it means the genealogical tree of the ancestry of one single family of musicians But, since the recent past, the meaning of Gharana is broadened to the extent that the worthy disciples of a particular 'tradition' also can claim to be members of that Gharana. The word 'Gharana' frequently used by Ustads also covers several characteristics while rendering of music, particular process of elaboration and ornamentation's, all of which are handed down to and imbibed by the members of the Gharana from generation to generation . In addition to the above qualities it also includes the line of thinking and the way of presentation . To be more clear, the term 'Gharana' is identical with a particular school of though and the style of rendering music which must receive wide acceptance and recognition from musicians of authority and listeners of merit.

A 'Gharana' is normally named after the name of the place where the particular family of musicians lives for more than three generations. Many Gharanas also branched off subsequently under names other than the original one as the musicians spread and settled under the patronage of the Rulers of different Princely States. Branches again was of three kinds.

(1)Through exchange or direct employment of as Ustad by the Rulers of different Princely States;

(2)By selling back in one's own birth place after having obtained training from an established Gharana; in such cases, the descendants of the Exponents were often found to have deviated to a considerable extent due to local influences of social, geographical and cultural conditions;