Some of the most profound and ancient scriptures in the world including the Vedas and the bible believe that the universe issued forth not from light, but from sound. Brahma the creator of the universe must then be a master of sound. In addition to Brahma India is blessed with several legendary masters of sound which is called “Nad” in Sanskrit. Music when done as a spiritual practice connects the master musicians to the source of the universe. Master musicians are masters because to them music is spirituality and not just entertainment. The sound of the universal creator Brahma and the sadhna of India’s most venerated music masters is coming alive in Delhi on April 4 and 5, 2007 at the Brahma Nad Music festival. The festival is organised by Udayan Care, Ramchander Nath Foundation and Nadchakra.
Ramchander Nath Foundation (www.rnf.org.in)
Aims to be a think-tank on development and restoration of the arts – visual arts, music, motor cars, architecture, writing and theatre. One of the main aims is to establish an institute that would provide a holistic education in the arts; especially restoration and maintenance. The institute would also provide a common platform for the established and the young artists facilitating soft-knowledge transfer, which no book or curriculum can provide.
Nadchakra:
Nadchakra's mission is to promote rare and deep Indian classical music. Nadchakra envisions a collective of artists who come together to promote their art. Today the best musicians in India are relatively unknown. In a world where brand name musicians usually don't translate
into the best music, a series of baithaks, recordings and CD releases, featuring deep caliber artists is envisioned, where like-minded people can enjoy the very best Indian classical music in an ambient setting.
Dhrupad:
Dhrupad is the most ancient form of Indian classical music. Sometimes called the Sanskrit of Indian classical music, Dhrupad's forte is its emphasis on pure sound and music as a spiritual practice rather than entertainment. Dhrupad ranks among the most sophisticated and soulful
art forms.
April 4, 2007
Amaltas Auditorium, Habitat Center
8:30 Pm, Pandit Nirmalya Dey, Dhrupad Vocal
Pandit Nirmalya Dey, Dhrupad Vocal :
Born in 1960 at Kolkatta, Nirmalya was initiated into singing by his mother at the age of six. He started taking initial training in dhrupad with Prof. Nimaichand Boral, who was a disciple of Ustad Nasir Moinuddin Khan Dagar. Later on, he took advanced training from Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar, a celebrated performer and master of Dagar tradition. The process of training is still continued with the able guidance of Ustad – immersed into the endless ocean of knowledge.
Being one of the distinguished performers of Dagar tradition, he had numerous opportunities of performances for several prestigious concerts in India and abroad. He established himself as a potential singer, right from the beginning of his performing carrier. As a token of appreciation he has been bestowed with prestigious awards including the first prize winner of the National music competition organized by All India Radio, in 1979. As recognition in the field of dhrupad and for the excellence of achievement in the field, he was awarded with the senior fellowship by the ministry of HRD, Govt. of India.
He is one of the successful teachers of dhrupad: efficient in transmitting the spirit of dhrupad to the prospective scholars. He taught dhrupad in the faculty of performing arts at the University of Delhi and Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra, Delhi as a visiting lecturer & organised dhrupad workshops in India and abroad.
April 5, 2007
7 Pm Shubha Mudgal
Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar Dhrupad Vocal
Bahauddin Dagar Rudtraveena
Shubha Mudgal:
One of the most versatile and popular concert artists among the younger generation of Hindustani musicians, Shubha Mudgal is among the most imaginative and adventurous female vocalists of India.
Born in Allahabad in 1959 to a family with a rich musical tradition, Shubha Mudgal was taught by the finest musicians and musicologists in India. Trained initially as a khayal singer, she soon realized her powerful voice could encompass a wide range. She moved to Delhi and sought the guidance of maestros who encouraged her to evolve beyond her traditional training and experiment as an artist.
Her spirited experimentation brings her into conflict with more orthodox practitioners. Her first album, a collection of Sufi songs, was an immediate hit with the public but generated criticism from traditionalists. Her album Ali More Angana set young people all over the country dancing to an originally devotional song, which became a favorite at discotheques.
In addition to being a popular concert artist, Mudgal has won recognition as a composer. Her repertoire of medieval devotional poetry has received acclaim in India and abroad. She wrote music and played a cameo role in Kama Sutra, the new film by director Mira Nair.
She believes in absorbing and learning from other cultures and forms of art, in order to evolve an art that is richer and more universal. "Other genres and influences are also incorporated and adapted in my work," she says, "to create a tapestry that uses and warp and weft of the classical and the contemporary."
Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar dhrupad vocal and Bahauddin Dagar Rudtraveena:
Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar
Ustad Fariduddin Dagar needs no introduction. Among the greatest
artists ever and master of the Dhrupad, Ustad is a 19th generation
descendent of Swami Hari Das who was Tansen's guru. Ustad Dagar is a
living legend.
Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar
He was born in Udaipur, India, where his father Ustad Ziauddin Khan Dagar was the court musician fro the Maharajah of Udaipur.
He was taught vocal and instrumental music (veena & sitar) by his father and later by his elder brother, Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar. Ustad is responsible to a great extent for popularising Dhrupad music by his numerous concerts and workshops. He has traveled and performed widely in India and abroad. In recognition of his immense contribution to the classical music of India, Ustad has been bestowed with many prestigious awards.
Baha'ud'din represents the 20th generation of the Dagar parampara of the Dagarbani school of Dhrupad music. He began his training under the tutelage of his father, the great Rudra-Veena maestro, Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar at the age of eleven.
After the demise of his father, he continued training in music under the able guidance of his uncle Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar, an eminent Dhrupad vocalist.
Bahauddin Dagar
He has performed in prestigious Sammelans and Samaroahs in India and abroad. He has also recorded with labels such as : Music Today (India); Makars (France); Indian Music Archives (USA). He has been featured in various Classical Music programmes on the Doordarshan (CPC, and National) Channels; Star Plus Channel (Ninad); and on the Music Asia Channel. He has also featured in the documentary film - Dhrupad, 1983 and the feature film The Cloud Door, 1994 both directed by Mani Kaul. |
