In memory of Dhrupad maestro Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar

Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar

It was a style of singing that the imperial courts of India resounded with, but after Independence, as royalty faded away, so did its patronage for music. Efforts were made to revive Dhrupad in 1981 when a dedicated school was set up in Bhopal, and Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar, or Chhote Ustad, was invited to teach there. Gradually, the master vocalist, together with other exponents, brought Dhrupad back into prominence - something that he continued to do until he breathed his last in 2013.

Ustad Mohi Bahauddin Dagar

This weekend, a two-day music fest will pay tribute to Chhote Ustad, where Abhijeet Sukhdane (Dhrupad vocal), Mrinal Upadhyay (pakhawaj solo), Ustad Mohi Bahauddin Dagar (rudraveena), Bhushan Koshti (surbahar) and Pandit Kedar Bodas (vocal) will take stage. It has been organised by Swar Yatra, a non-profit run by Manoj Mandalikar that provides a platform to lesser-known forms Indian Classical music as well as musicians. The organisation does not approach private companies and banks for sponsorship, and runs on support from connoisseurs of music. "Swar Yatra recently entered its sixth year, and it was possible only because of the support from music lovers," says 36-year-old Mandalikar.

Ustad Mohi Bahauddin Dagar, Chhote Ustad's nephew, reminisces, "He would lead the way, but give you complete freedom. He would raise the bar of the person playing with him by beautifully pulling the musician up to him."