Dagarvani Dhrupad Vocalist
As part of the Dagar Dossier, the Hindu in its Friday Review column on 10th March, 2017 has published an interview of Padmashri Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar, the 20th Generation torch-bearer of Dagarvani tradition of dhrupad-dhamar singing.
Read the original artical here: Lifting the elephant’s foot
Upholding an ancient tradition
Doyen of the Darbhanga gharana’s Dhrupad vocalist – Pt. Prem Kumar Mallik and Director of Sriram Bhartiya Kala Kendra – Shobha Deepak Singh speak on Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar in this report in the Friday Review of Delhi edition of The Hindu.
To celebrate Mahashivaratri here is a good article on Senior Dagar Brothers’ rendition of Raga Kafi from early ’60s
Rhythmic interplay marks Nasir Aminuddin Dagar and Nasir Moinuddin Dagar’s rendition of raag Kaafi
Please watch “Kala Samvad” with Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar on Lok Sabha TV on Thursday 9 AM, Saturday 8 PM, Sunday 8:30 PM and Monday 12 PM. The show is hosted by Smt Kumud Diwan.
Santosh Kumar, son of Late Shri Vishwanath Thakur, was born in Madhubani district of Bihar. Santosh Kumar is a post graduate and has worked as computer software professional for more than 10 years. His love for dhrupad has led to his active participation in dhrupad related activities. He aims to attain maximum height in the world of dhrupad.
He started learning Dagarvani school of Dhrupad under Guru-Shishya parampara in 1987 from Padma Shri Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar, who belongs to the 20th unbroken generation of the Dagars, the prime family in Dhrupad and Dhamar singing. As has been the tradition in this family, he too had the privilege of receiving guidance from other illustrious gurus like Dagar Brothers-Ustad Nasir Zahiruddin Dagar & Ustad Nasir Faiyazuddin Dagar. He has enlarged his horizon by getting exposure to the singing and talks of other elders of the family.
Santosh Kumar gave his maiden concert in Delhi in 1998 in Guru Shishya Parampara Parichay, organised by the Dhrupad Society. Since then he has been performing. Some of his concerts include those at Varanasi Dhrupad Mela, Dhrupad Samaroh in Jaipur and ‘Kal Ke Kalakar’ Samaroh in Mumbai organized by Sur Singar Samsad. He has also performed with Shri Hari Nath Jha in dhrupad jugalbandi in homage to Ud. Nasir Zahiruddin Dagar organized by Dagar Brothers Memorial Trust, New Delhi. He gave solo concert in homage to Ud. Nasir Faiyazuddin Dagar in 2011 in New Delhi. He was also part of Dhrupad Ensemble sent to Pakistan on cultural exchange programme by Indian Council for Cultural Relations led by his Guru in 2005.
Santosh performed dhrupad in Jugalbandi with Shri Iqbal Khan, famous art critic from Jaipur, when he received the award from Sabrang Society in January, 2013. He also performed dhrupad before special audiences in Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi on 21st Dec, 2013, to celebrate 25 years old association with its Center for Economic Studies and Planning.
He gave his dhrupad concert on Word Yoga Day in 2015 at Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi. In 2015, he accompanied his Guru Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar to Bengal Music Festival in Dhaka, Bangladesh for dhrupad concert.
In 2018, he went with his Guruji to Switzerland to participate in Festival of India. Later he also participated at his home town, Jaynagar in Bihar, at Jaynagar Mahotsav 2018.
In 2019, besides some private concerts, he performed for Dhrupad Society in a baithak in New Delhi to commemorate Ud. Wasifuddin Dagar’s inaugral concert in Bhopal in 1988.
Santosh has received ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ in 1999 from NADA (North American Dhrupad Association), USA. He has also received ‘Musician Pt. Gokul Chandra Rao Literature & Art Honour’ (Lekhan va Kala Samman) in 2012 from Sabrang Society, Jaipur.
At present, he is based in Delhi and pursues music teaching besides performances.
He also works as Technical Lead @ Altran.
Contact: 258-F, Ground Floor, Shahpur Jat, New Delhi 110 049
Tel: 91-11-2649 2258, 91-98109 04794
Email: santosh.kumar.dhrupad@gmail.com
Pt. Prem Kumar Mallik
