Khayal is one of the leading styles of Hindustani music and its gradual progression from silence to a climax of ornamental and rhythmic prowess make the voice its ideal instrument.
Manjusha Kulkarni-Patil, trained at the Agra and Gwalior schools of Indian classical vocal music, is today one of the most acclaimed Khayal singers, both in India and internationally. She excels both because of her improvisational skills and also her skill in taan, a rapid melodic vocal technique where the singer seems literally to "shake" each note