Ustad Bahauddin Dagar
Bahauddin Dagar, a Rudra Veena player and a singer, represents the 20th generation of the Dagar lineage. At the age of seven, Bahauddin began learning sitar from his mother, Pramila Dagar. Later on he began to learn the Surbahar and Rudra Veena from his father, Ustad Zia Muhiuddin Dagar, one of the most prominent Rudra Veena players of the 20th century.
In 1990, after the loss of his father, Bahauddin continued his learning with his uncle, Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar, a singer and a renowned teacher who taught many of the most famous Dhrupad musicians of our age.
Bahauddin developed a unique way of building his ragas, a combination of the knowledge he received from both his father and uncle. He has a unique way of combining his virtuous playing abilities with the vocal-like dimension of expression.
Bahauddin won several awards for his musical achievements. He performs both in India and abroad on many major venues and has released several LP’s so far. He teaches the Rudra Veena and Dhrupad singing, thus continuing the Dagar family heritage.
Ustad Bahauddin Dagar / Rudra Veena
Raga Kousi Alap – Jor
Ustad Bahauddin Dagar / Dhrupad
Raga Bageshri – Part 1
Ustad Shujaat Khan
First son of the legendary Sitar player Usad Vilayat Khan, 7th generation of Imdad Khan’s musical tradition (Gharana), he has begun studying from his father when he was three years old. At the age of six he gave his first performance. He plays in a special style, developed by his father and known as the ‘Gayaki Ang’, distinguished for its imitation of the human voice and subtleties. As well as being an accomplished and talented Sitar player, Shujat has made a name for himself as an accomplished singer. He sings classical music as well as devotional Sufi songs.
Shujaat performs all around the world, he has recorded numerous CDs, and was nominated in 2004 for a Grammy award for his CD ‘Rain’. He his a leading authority in his field of expertise and often lectures at UCLA and various other universities around the world.
Ustad Shujaat Khan Performs Yaman Kalyan
Ustad Shujaat Khan Performs Bhairavi
Shamsuddin Faridi Desai (1936-2011)
According to Sufis from the Qadri order, music is considered a path to god.
See the following article:
www.swaratala.blogspot.co.il/2007/05/shamsuddin-faridi-desai-qadri-sufis.html
Shamsuddin Faridi was a Veena (Binkar) player who belonged to the old Gauhar Bani Gharana (school). He leaned playing the Veena from his father, Muhammad Faridi Desai, in a style similar to that of the legendary Banda Ali Khan.
Shamsuddin’s unique playing style, the way he developed the raga, the built of his instrument (the body of his Veena was made of Bamboo or Tun wood and the frets were glued to the body using bee’s wax) and most of all the spiritual manner in which he treated both the Veena and the music, All made him quite a phenomenon in the Indian classical music scene.
Shamsuddin has very few recordings and most of his performances were held in Dargahs (tombs of Sufi saints).
As part of Shamsuddin’s spiritual path, music served as a form of devotion that is both graceful and full of beauty. He never used music for gaining popularity or wealth.
The teachings I received from Shamsuddin during the years of 1997-8 echoing ever more strongly as the time passes, and for that I am grateful to him.
Shamsuddin’s musical legacy is perpetuated by his son, Zahid Khan Faridi Desai, who is a Rudra Veena player, and his brother, Nasir Khan Desai, who is a sitar player.
Shamsuddin Faridi Desai
Shamsuddin Faridi Desai