UPSC Prelims 2026 question on Mallikarjun Mansur Gharana

Mallikarjun Mansur was one of the most distinguished exponents of Hindustani classical music in the twentieth century. Born in the Dharwad region of Karnataka, he became especially renowned for his mastery over rare ragas and complex khayal compositions.

His music reflected the distinctive stylistic depth of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana, a tradition known for its intricate raga architecture and intellectual rigour. He trained under Manji Khan and Bhurji Khan, sons of Ustad Alladiya Khan, the founder of this gharana.

He became widely respected for preserving and popularising several rare and complex ragas of the Jaipur-Atrauli tradition, and his contribution earned him honours such as the Padma Vibhushan and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship. Hence option (d) is correct. The Agra, Gwalior and Patiala gharanas are distinct khayal traditions with which he was not affiliated; the Gwalior gharana in particular is the oldest khayal gharana but is not the one Mansur represented.