In the world of Hindustani classical music, the Dagar Brothers (Junior)—Ustad Nasir Zahiruddin Dagar and Ustad Nasir Faiyazuddin Dagar—stand as two of the finest exponents of the Dhrupad tradition, belonging to the illustrious Dagarvani lineage. Their 1983 German release under the Loft label (Double LP, Loft 1006/7) remains one of the most treasured archival recordings of the genre, capturing Dhrupad in its purest, most meditative form.
This double-disc album is a masterclass in alap, nom-tom, laykari, and the majestic architecture of ragas as envisioned by the Dagar tradition. With the deep, resonant voices of the two brothers weaving in and out of each other and the steady, ancient pulse of Gopal Das’s pakhawaj, this LP offers an immersive spiritual experience—precisely what Dhrupad is meant to be.
Featuring: Ustad Nasir Zahiruddin Dagar & Ustad Nasir Faiyazuddin Dagar
Accompaniment: Gopal Das (Pakhawaj)
What the Album Offers
Side 1 – Raga Darbari Kanada (Slow Alap – 25:03)
A profound, contemplative exploration of Darbari Kanada. The Dagar Brothers unfold the raga with unmatched depth, revealing its gravity and regal calm through a spacious and unhurried alap.
Side 2
Darbari Kanada – Fast Alap & Dhamar Composition
“Sajana bina khelata” in Dhamar Taal (14 beats) – an exquisite blend of melodic precision and rhythmic play.Raga Adana – Sultal Composition
“Shiva Shiva Shiva Shankara Adideva” in Sultal (10 beats) – devotional, powerful, and rhythmically dynamic.
Side 3 – Raga Bihag (Alap – 26:01)
A serene and expansive presentation of Bihag. The LP is known for a 3-second gap (a pressing error) at around the 10-minute mark on all original copies.
A corrected and cleaned version exists privately, prepared by LF (Scotland), who removed the gap and restored the audio quality without compromising the natural tone of the recording.
Side 4
Composition “Sundara hogayi” — Chautal (12 beats)
A graceful and lyrical exposition marked by the characteristic Dagarvani interplay of voice and pakhawaj.Raga Kedar – Short Alap & Chautal Composition
“Bhajre man Vishvanatha” — devotional, uplifting, and delivered with a contemplative serenity.
A Note on Availability
This LP is a collector’s gem, and due to copyright restrictions, the music is not uploaded here. However, most of the tracks—either from the original LP or live performances—are available across YouTube for those who wish to experience the brilliance of the Dagar Brothers.
Why This Album Matters
This 1983 Loft release is not merely an LP—it is a historical document of the Dagar Brothers at their artistic peak, presenting Dhrupad with its ancient purity fully intact. For listeners, students, and scholars of Indian classical music, this album is an indispensable reference point for understanding:
- The Dagarvani aesthetic
- The architecture of alap
- The meditative depth of Dhrupad
- The interaction between voice & pakhawaj
It stands as one of the finest recorded examples of 20th-century Dhrupad.
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