An exponent of Hindustani classical music, Gangubai Hangal was an eminent singer to have hailed from the ______ gharana of the Hindustani Khyal family.

Kirana

The correct answer is Option (2) - Kirana

The term "gharana" in Hindustani classical music refers to a particular lineage or tradition of musical teaching and performance. Each gharana is associated with a distinct style, repertoire, and approach to music, passed down through generations of musicians within the same family or lineage.

Gangubai Hangal, a renowned Hindustani classical vocalist, belonged to the Kirana gharana. The Kirana gharana is known for its emphasis on intricate melodic patterns, subtle nuances in expression, and a meditative approach to singing. It is characterized by the use of "bol banao," a technique where words are elongated and stretched to create melodic phrases, and "tantrakari," the art of weaving intricate melodic patterns (tan) within a composition.

Gangubai Hangal's training in the Kirana gharana influenced her singing style, repertoire selection, and approach to performance. She was known for her mastery over ragas, her emotive renditions, and her ability to convey deep spiritual and emotional experiences through her music.