Dhrupad – Archives

Elder Dagar Brothers Nasir Moinuddin and Nasir Aminuddin Dagar

This is a very rare composition in Raga Bangal Bhairav – an uncommon Raga -sung by Nasir Aminuddin Dagar without pakhawaj accompaniment in the 1980′s at a concert in Delhi. The photo shows Aminuddin Dagar (left) with his elder brother and singing partner Ustad Nasir Moinuddin Dagar.  After the death of Moinuddin Dagar in 1966 Aminuddin Dagar sang alone – only rarely teaming up with some other cousins. He also changed the pitch of his singing far lower than what he used to sing in with his elder brother. As can be seen in the recordings here.

CDs and DVDs  of Dhrupad on Cdbaby –  Miya Ki Malhar –Abhogi and Lalit — Yaman and Malkauns

Recording from the personal archives of Ashish Sankrityayan

Ustad Nasir Aminuddin Dagar

Ustad Nasir Aminuddin Dagar sings a composition in Chowtal ( 12 beats) in Sawani Barwa.From a concert in Delhi in the1980′s.

CDS AND DVDS OF DHRUPAD ON CDBABY– Miya Ki Malhar –Abhogi and Lalit — Yaman and Malkauns

recording from the personal archives of Ashish Sankrityayan

It is interesting to compare this with another performance (below) of the same composition in 1991 in Bhopal where he sings a different ornamentation in the beginning and also in other places. Orally transmitted compositions probably mutate a lot in this way.

Here is a recording made from a radio broadcast in 1965 of Ustads Nasir Moinuddin and Nasir Aminuddin Dagar singing Raga Desi – Alap followed by the Dhamar ‘udho tuma jaaye kaho hari paas tuma bina kaiso phaaguna maas’. This recording is from the collection of Maharawal Mahipalsinghji Sab of Dungarpur.

CDs and DVDs of Dhrupad on Cdbaby

– Miya Ki Malhar –Abhogi and Lalit — Yaman and Malkauns

This is a composition attributed to the legendary Dhrupad singer Tansen who sang in the court of Emperor Akbar… It is addressed to the Saki of Hauz-e-Kausar or the giver of nectar in paradise.. a term used by Sufi mystics  to describe the prophet..yet it makes a reference to the Hindu belief of  rebirth.  The singer declares himself to be a servant of the Saki of Hauz-e-Kausar since many births!!

CDS AND DVDS OF DHRUPAD ON CDBABY– Miya Ki Malhar –Abhogi and Lalit — Yaman and Malkauns

Dhamar in Lalit – lyrics – eri paga phari bhijoungi – Ashish Sankrityayan – Pakhawaj Pt. Udhav Shinde – from a concert

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Ustad Nasir Aminuddin Dagar

Here is a composition in Sooltal in Raga Adana by Ustad Nasir Aminuddin Dagar from a concert in Delhi in the 1980′s. Pakhawaj player not known. The beginning is missing so he seems to start abruptly with the antara but he comes back to sing the sthayi again. The composition curiously refers to the martial feats of fanatical Mughal emperor Aurangzeb who had banned music from his kingdom.

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–  Miya Ki Malhar –Abhogi and Lalit — Yaman and Malkauns

Recording from the personal archives of Ashish Sankrityayan

Recording of Rahimuddin Dagar singing Raga Kedar – Brief Alap followed by the Dhamar “maana taja de ri aali aayo hai phaaguna maas’. (1950′s 6mins 37 secs)

Rahimuddin Dagar probably had the greatest mastery over the difficult voice technique of the Dagars among all who were recorded. Notice the effortless use of changing resonances in the voice. The Dhamar lyrics enjoin a beautiful maiden ( Radha?) to leave her reticence and join the revelry of holi. Notice the feeling of supplication in the words “maana taja” and the commanding tone of the “de’ while coming to the first beat – the sam.

Check these CDs and DVDs  of Dhrupad on Cdbaby–  Miya Ki Malhar –Abhogi and Lalit –Yaman and Malkauns

Photo from http://www.dhrupad.info/rahimuddin.htm where you will also find a brief biography of this maestro.
Recording from the personal archives of Ashish Sankrityayan