Ustad F. Wasifuddin Dagar
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 Ustad
F. Wasifuddin Dagar represents the 20th generation of dedicated dhrupad
singers in the Dagar family. He is the nephew of Ustad N. Zahiruddin
Dagar and son of Ustad N. Faiyazuddin Dagar, the legendary younger
"Dagar Brothers". Though traditionally his family has always performed
dhrupad as a duet, Wasif (shorted form of his name) successfully
presents the dynamic of a duet in a solo performance by maintaining the
distinct musical approaches and styles of both his father and uncle.
Wasif's early training was with his uncle Ustad N. Zahiruddin Dagar,
and his father Ustad N. Faiyazuddin Dagar. Wasif also had the good
fortune of the tutelage of his grand uncle Ustad Rahimuddin Khan Dagar,
a dhrupad exponent and his grandfather's younger brother. Other elders
including uncles Ustad N. Aminuddin Dagar, and Ustad N. Mohiuddin Dagar
(renowned vina virtuoso) have also greatly influenced him. Wasif
continues to benefit from the knowledge, experience and guidance of his
uncles Ustad. R. Fahimuddin Dagar, Ustad Z. Fariduddin Dagar, and
Ustad. H. Sayeeduddin Dagar.
The untimely demise of his father in February 1989 paired Wasif with
his uncle and teacher Ustad N. Zahiruddin Dagar, who taught him the
crucial aspects of jugalbandi (duet) a specialty of the Dagar family.
As the "Dagar duo" they toured extensively. Their concerts and music
was the subject of the French television documentary "Dagarvani" in
1992. They have also recorded in Switzerland, India, and America with
major recording labels. Since the demise of his uncle Ustad N.
Zahiruddin Dagar in 1994, Wasif has been carrying on the tradition of
Dagarvani solo. His rendition of dhrupad is a unique blend of his
uncle's training, his father's quality of voice and temperament, and
his in-depth knowledge of dhrupad tradition. His innovative alap notes
are spacious and colorful, ranging across the three octaves delineating
the personality of the raga in great clarity. His gamaks are fast and
sonorous yet retain the softness and sweetness of the raga inherent in
dhrupad renditions. Over the years he has developed subtle variations
and improvisations by modulation of volume and sound application to
present many shades of the same musical phrase. The composite effect of
his dhrupad rendition remains traditional, merging techniques and
styles of both his teachers. His is very popular with young listeners
for his lively lecture demonstrations illustrating old Vedic
technicalities through metaphors from daily life.
Wasif performs regularly and extensively on Indian television and
radio, at music festivals, and concerts. He performed for the UNESCO in
France, and also toured the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Hungary
in 1998, for the United Nations Peace Summit, and the World Festival of
Scared Music of the Dalai Lama in 2001. In several very successful
concert tours, he has performed extensively in the United States
including at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC, at Harvard
University, and several other prestigious venues. He has also toured
Japan and Europe. A May-June 2003 concert tour is scheduled in France,
Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Finland. His performances have
received rave reviews in The Washington Post, The New York Times, and
other world press. Despite his active concert schedule, Wasif still
finds time to teach many talented youngsters grooming the next
generation of torchbearers for this ancient august tradition.
See a rather detailed resume of Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar.
See details on his published recordings on our recordings page.
Attended a dhrupad concert and would like to review it: dagarvani.org?
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