Search - Wasifuddin Dagar & Bahauddin Dagar :: Vedanta

Dagarvani Druphad

Orpheus | on the road | 03/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dagarvani Dhrupad



I cannot claim to be an expert in Dhrupad, as I'm only now discovering about this ancient tradition - but I have to admit, since receiving this cd I can't help but playing it over and over again... it has an irresistable quality I can't precisely articulate...



I was first exposed to this music by Bahauddin Dagar's father and guru Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar (Nimbus CD Yaman/Todi), the legendary rudra veena player who emancipated the veena from mainly a practise instrument to it's now rightful place and modified the veena to produce a warmer, more emotive and expressive sound - which is also manifest on this recording.



Father and son belong to the Dagarvani gharana, the foremost dhruphad tradition going back to the days of the legendary Moghul court musician Miyan Tansen and before. They were and are the preserving centre of this austere and profound music, which was almost becoming extinct since musical patronage ceased to exist after India's partition and the more

lyrical Khyal style had eclipsed Dhrupad.



Wasifuddin Dagar is the son of Faiyyazuddin Dagar who formed a legendary Dhrupad vocal duo with his brother Zahiruddin Dagar, who took the torch from their older brothers. So now, as the youngest torchbearers of the Dagarvani tradition Bahauddin Dagar and Wasifuddin Dagar team up for a first: a unique live recording of Raga Malkauns combining voice and veena.



The first cd is dedicated to a spacious 36 minute alaap and a 22 minute Jor. Wasifuddin's mellifluous voice seems to emerge naturally from the expansive tamboura drone...it has an almost intangible delicacy which surely but slowly summons the noble and austere rasa of Malkauns. Bahauddin Dagar responds with a selfassured deep and resonant phrase - stunningly well recorded - his playing is to be heared to be believed...



We know now The Journey begins... Both evoke a wide palet of tonal colours and possible worlds, descending and ascending at the same time through history and the human experience and beyond. This is deeply stirring music, not meant to impress, but to initiate the listener to his/her own deeper essence.



How can I elaborate further on something which is so deeply felt? I could try, but all words would falter... All I can say is: buy it and put it on, close your eyes and embark on The Journey...this is a testament to the fact that Dhrupad is a vibrant and living Art in the hands of the youngest Dagar duo. Thank you... and please record more of this pure and exalted music.



"

Dynamite classical Indian music

Edward Clark | NYC | 11/30/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"An outstanding example of classical Indian music, featuring truly astonishing vocals. The guys who cut this disk are the 19th generation of an illustrious musical family, still doing basically the same thing their ancestors did, at the summit of their art. Highly recommended by yours truly."