Nasir Aminuddin Dagar – Bangal Bhairav

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.

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Recording from the personal archives of Ashish Sankrityayan

Nasir Aminuddin Dagar – Sawni Barwa

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.

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.

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

Dhrupad Alap – Raga Bageshree

Dhrupad Alap in Raga Bageshree – excerpt from a concert – Ashish Sankrityayan

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Elder Dagar Brothers Raga Desi

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.

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

Dhrupad Chowtal – Raga Yaman – Ashish Sankrityayan

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!!

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Pakhawaj Solo – Pandit Dalchand Sharma

Pakhawaj Solo in Chowtal – Pandit Dalchand Sharma of the Nathadwara Tradition of Pakhawaj playing.

Dhamar in Purvi – Rahimuddin Khan Dagar

Ustad Rahimuddin Khan Dagar ( mid 1930s)

A recording of Ustad Rahimuddin Khan Dagar singing a Dhamar ( cycle of 14 beats) in Raga Purvi. Pakhawaj by Pandit Ayodhya Prasad of the Kudao Singh Gharana. It is interesting that in Radio broadcasts in those days the honorifics Ustad, Pandit etc. were selectively used for some artists. A practice that was subsequently discontinued.

In this photo taken a few months after the death of his illustrious elder Brother Nasiruddin Khan in Indore (1936?) Rahimuddin Khan Sab poses with the children of the household.

An insightful article on Ayodhya Prasad with references to other great pakhawaj maestros like Kudao Singh can be found in the book ‘Musicians I Met’ by S.K. Chaubey – Pandit Ajodhya Prasad by S.K. Chaubey

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