What is the Benares gharana?

The Benares gharana is a school of tabla playing named after Benares (Varanasi), where Ram Sahai founded it in the late 18th or 19th century. Gharana accounts say he studied in Lucknow, so the school descends from the Lucknow tabla gharana. Its sound is powerful and open, built on resonant strokes such as na and din, and its players favour full-hand strokes. Lineage accounts say Ram Sahai wanted a style that could carry a solo and accompany singing, instrumental music and Kathak. Kousic Sen trained with masters of the gharana.