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North Indian Classical Music
Ragas Performed in the Dhrupad Style

Ustad Nasir Zahiruddin and Ustad Nasir Faiyazuddin Dagar

Also see: The DoveSong Dhrupad Page

The Recordings

Darbari Kanada This recording of the "elder" Dagar Brothers was made in the 1950s. The Dagar family was one of the few great families to continue playing in the older Dhrupad style after the demise of the great Indian Courts where it previously flourished. Because of its nobility, stateless, and spirituality, Darbari Kanada was traditionally only played in a slow speed. In traditional dhrupad styles, instead of playing a fast composition in Darabari at the end of a performance of the raga, instead Adana, a raga similar in scale structure, was always substituted. Here the Dagars play first an alap, where the raga is unfolded, followed by a composition in Dhamar Tala (a stately 14 beat tala associated with the dhrupad style), then a composition in Raga Adana.

Pandit Ram Chatur Mallick Ram Chatur Mallick was a well-known singer of the older dhrupad style. Recorded in August, 1976 in Patna, India. The tala (rhythmic pattern) is Choutal, the 12-beat pattern common in dhrupad. The pakhawaj (drum) is played by Ramashish Pathak.

Raga Kamboji sung by Moinuddin Dagar. Scale: 
Recorded in the 1950 or 60s? Kamboji is an old raga that is sung in the first part of the night. It is a specialty of the Dagar family. Accompanied by the pakhawaj.

Raga Purya Alap sung by Moinuddin Dagar. Scale: B, Db, E, F#, A, B Db, C. C, B, A, F#, G, Db, C. This raga is sung just after sunset. Recorded in the 1950s or 60s, Moinuddin sings an alap. 

Raga Komel Re Asawari Moinuddin and Aminuddin Dagar singing in Dhurpad Style. Raja Chhatrapati Singh, pakhawaj. 1950s.

Raga Bhairavi Moinuddin and Aminuddin Dagar singing in Dhurpad Style. Raja Chhatrapati Singh, pakhawaj. 1950s.

Raga Jog sung by the Dagar Brothers. Scale: C, E, F, G, Bb, C. C, Bb, G, F, E, C, Eb, C. Jog is sung during the late night.