The declamatory opening of a solo in the traditions that do not begin with peshkar. A composed, rising passage — often paran-flavored, gathering density and weight — it seizes the tala and announces the player; Benares solos classically open this way, and Punjab practice has parallel openings.
An uthan is fixed material delivered with maximum intent, ending on a firm landing (frequently a tihai) from which theka or development proceeds. The contrast with peshkar is temperamental: exploration versus proclamation.