Renowned Hindustani classical vocalist Zia Fariduddin Dagar passed away on Thursday at his Gurukul near Panvel, family sources said.

Son of the illustrious Dhrupadiya Ustad Ziauddin Dagar, Zia along with his brother, the late Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar (legendary Rudra Veena player), played a crucial role in reviving dhrupad after independence -- a time when the surge of several forms of vocal music, especially khayal, had cast a shadow of uncertainty on the ancient form. u00a0