Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar
Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar (15 June 1932 – 8 May 2013) was a master vocalist of the Dagar family’s Dhrupad tradition. Born in Udaipur, Rajasthan, he received his early training in vocal and rudra veena from his father, Ustad Ziauddin Khan. After his father’s death, he continued rigorous musical apprenticeship under his elder brother, Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar. A leading figure in the 19th generation of this lineage, he helped sustain and elevate the meditative, microtonal depths of Dhrupad, dedicated throughout his life to maintaining its purity and spiritual character.
A visionary performer and teacher, Ustad Fariduddin co-led the Dhrupad Kendra in Bhopal alongside his brother for over 25 years, nurturing a global network of dhrupad vocalists and instrumentalists. His impact spanned continents: he taught at the Dhrupad Gurukul near Mumbai, Dhrupad Sansar at IIT Bombay, and international sites like Innsbruck and Paris conservatories. . His honors include the Tansen Samman and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1994), and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the North American Dhrupad Association (2005).
His enduring legacy is reflected in the illustrious careers of disciples such as Uday Bhawalkar, and the Gundecha Brothers, all alumni of the Bhopal Kendra who have performed at the Darbar Festival. Other notable students include Padma Tablaist Manianne Svasek and Nirmalya Dey, whose careers have popularized Dagarvani Dhrupad worldwide. Through his recordings, teaching, and the Gurukul’s ongoing activities, Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar ensured the distinctive spiritual clarity and tonal nuance of Dhrupad continue to resonate in global music circles and at events like Darbar.
Darbar believes in the power of Indian classical music to stir, thrill, and inspire. Explore our YouTube channel or subscribe to the Darbar Player to watch extended festival performances, talks, and documentaries in pristine HD and UHD quality.
