The word "Gharana"is derived from the Hindi word "Ghar", which means "house" or "prestigious family". It refers to the original locality of a particular music teacher or a family of musicians (or their direct decendants), where a musical ideaology was specifically developed. Gharanas came into existence at various cities or villages in North India and became popular in the home of Master Musicians.

Indian Music has been carried on as a tradition from generation to generation. Whether it be passed down from parent to child or from Guru to student (Guru - Shishya - Parampara), this tradition is what has been the benchmark for continuing the lineage of Gharanas.

Every Gharana has its own distinctive features and style of presentation. The creator of the Gharana took various compositions (Raagas) and innovated their original form, creatively transforming them into something new and original, which makes each Gharana very unique. This is how the Tarouba Gharana was born.

Historically all accounts of Gharanas have originated in India, until now. Many decades ago Indians migrated to the West Indies, in perspective, Trinidad & Tobago, where they were determined to preserve their roots - beliefs, ideals, and culture. Through his dedication to preserve this cultural heritage, Dev Bansraj created the Tarouba Gharana™. The Tarouba Gharana encompasses a new style of singing in the form of "Trinidad Classical" which directly reflects Trinidad style of Indian Classsical Music while maintaining the true form of Raagas.

Here are some of the major known Gharanas:
✔ Gwalior Gharana ✔ Agra Gharana ✔ Delhi Gharana ✔ Talwandi Gharana ✔ Jaipur Gharana
✔ Senia Gharana ✔ Kirana Gharana ✔ Patiala Gharana, etc.

One thing for certain is that the creators of these Gharanas had various ways of performing Raagas, but always maintained the rich traditions, distinctive features and qualities of their respective Gharana.

Although a lifetime has brought Dev Bansraj many awards, his greatest reward has been his family. The unwavering support and dedication of his loving wife, Zaira Ann, and children, Ramona Meera and Dave Bansraj Jr. can never be measured nor be replaced by any trophy.

1959 Radio Debut - Made his music debut at the age of 10 on Radio Trinidad.

1968 Scholarship Recipient - Awarded a Scholarship to study Indian Classical Vocal & Instrumental Music at the Bharatiya Kala Kendra, New Delhi, India (awarded by I.C.C.R - Indian Council for Cultural Relations).

1981 1st Place Winner - Received the BWIA Challenge Trophy in an island wide Classical Singing Competition awarded by the National Council of Indian Artistes, San Fernando, Trinidad.

1997 Excellence Award - Awarded this honour by the Friends & Fans of Trinidad & Tobago Organization. Dev received this award directly from the Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, the Honourable Basdeo Panday, Naparima Bowl, San Fernando, Trinidad.

1999 Excellence Award - Received this award from the Ontario Society for Services to Indo-Caribbean Canadians, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

1999 Award of Appreciation - Received this award for contributions to International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (awarded by Joyce Temple-Smith, the Executive Director of Malton Neighbourhood Services), Malton, Ontario, Canada.

1999 Congratulating Dev Bansraj - Certificate of Appreciation for his invaluable training as a Music Teacher (awarded by Mr. Gurbax Singh Mali, MP., Bramalea-Gore-Springdale), Malton, Ontario, Canada.

2000 Excellence Award - Outstanding performance at the Annual Fundraiser (awarded by the Hindu Maha Sabha Lakshmi Mandir), Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

2000 Certificate of Excellence & Appreciation - Awarded for "Propogating and Promoting Indian Music" by the Saz-O-Awaz, New Delhi, India

2001 Congratulating Dev Bansraj - Honoured for his dedication in the preservation of Indian Music & Culture in Canada (awarded by Mr. Sarkis Assadourian, MP., Brampton Centre), Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

2003 Appreciation for Performance - Awarded by the Devi Mandir, Pickering, Ontario, Canada.

2006 Congratulating Dev Bansraj - Honoured for his dedication of Indian Music & Culture and contributions to the community (awarded by Dr. Ruby Dhalla, MP., Brampton-Springdale), Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

2007 Appreciation Award - Honoured for his dedicated service, outstanding achievement and continuous contributions in Indian Music and to the community (awarded by the Pranav Hindu Mandir Cultural Centre), North York, Ontario, Canada.

2007 Outstanding Achievement Award & Garland - Dev was the Guest of Honour at an Honourary Concert held to recognize and celebrate his success in Indian Music over the years (awarded by Kissoon & Associates), Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada.

2009 Diaspora Excellence Award - Dev received the Consul Diaspora Award for Excellence in Music and Community Service (awarded by the Consul General of Trinidad & Tobago, Mr. Michael Art Lashley), Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

2009 Appreciation for Performance - Awarded by the Ashwani Punia World Financial Group, Saksatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

2009 1st Place Winner - Awarded as the winner of an International Classical Singing Competition (awarded by the National Council of Indian Culture), Trinidad & Tobago.

2010 Sangitacharya - Shri Dev Bansraj was honoured with the official title of Sangitacharya by the Hindu Institute of Learning, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

2010 In Honour of Guruji Dev Bansraj - A Gala Evening celebrating 50 years as a respected and highly successful Artiste, Musician and Teacher (awarded by the Premier of Ontario, Mr. Dalton McGuinty), Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

2011 Excellence & Appreciation - Awarded for his great contribution to the development and progress to the Indian Community in Canada (awarded by the Hindu Institute of Learning), Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

2012 Appreciation Award - Honoured for his invaluable participation in the Annual Cultural Function (awarded by the Hindu Institute of Learning), Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

2015 Congratulating Dev Bansraj - Recognized for his outstanding contribution in promoting light classical Indian music among various social communities (awarded by Panwar Music and Dance Productions), Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

2016 Congratulating Dev Bansraj - Awarded for his contributions to promoting Indian classical music and culture in the community (awarded by Dr. Ruby Sahota, MP., Brampton North), Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

2017 Strings N' Steps Global Award - Featured Artiste representing Canada. Honoured as an Eminent Vocalist and recognized for his promotion of Indian classical music in Canada (awarded by Strings N' Steps), New Delhi, India.

The roots of Indian classical music date back as early as 400 BC.

The Vedas (the oldest Hindu religious texts), written thousands of years ago provide the earliest reference to Indian music. One of the ritual elements of the Vedas is the chanting of mantras (a Vedic hymn) by individuals or groups. Epic stories of the Ramayana and the Gita also provide reference to music and musicians. The essence of Indian music is contained in the Sutras (a rule or aphorism in Sanskrit literature) of the Samaveda (the Veda of melodies and chants), which in its popular classical devotional forms emerged in the era of Radha & Krishna.

The tradition of composing music based on raagas (a pattern of notes having characteristic intervals, rhythms, and embellishments, used as a basis for improvisation) and taals (a traditional rhythmic pattern in classical Indian music) continued through Shangradeva to Tansen, Baiju, Tulsidas, Soordas, and Meera. The tradition that initiated with Veena and the Mirdang became household words with the use of harmonium and tabla. This rich tradition is the foundation of my book, "Nayi Sangeet Roshani".

Nayi Sangeet Roshani, which means "New Enlightenment in Indian Music" is a profound work of original musical compositions and lyrics for learning, teaching or simply enjoying music - some of which are based on basic, intermediate, and advanced raagas.

Created by Guruji Dev Bansraj, this book contains his original compositions - music and notation, while being translated by Professor Ratnakar Narale - lyricist.

This book reflect the music structure of the Tarouba Gharana™:
✔ Most of the raagas are sung in Teen Taal and end in Kaherva Taal
✔ Trinidad Classical songs are sung with the inclusion of some Sargams.
✔ The fusion of Bhajan and Keertan (Keerjan©) with all Keertan having as many as four Antras ending in a climax in Kaherva Taal.

Written in both English and Hindi (split), containing 108 unique compositions this book combines the Hindustani style and Trinidad style of music, including Dhrupad, Dhamar, Khayal, Thumri, Ghazal, Geet, Chaiti, Hori, Kajari, Tillana, Bhajans, Keertans, and "Chutney" (a unique music form created in Trinidad) that are sung in various taals. This innovative work also encompasses almost every trait of the popular Indian music styles and is the first of its kind to be published.