Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar, Dhrupad Vocalist Passed Away at 80

Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar (1932-2013), the dhrupad vocalist passed away on 8 May 2013 following brief illness at his Gurukul near Panvel. He was 80 years of age. Drupad is the oldest existing north Indian classical music form.

About Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar

• Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar was born in Udaipur, Rajasthan on 15 June 1932.
• He was also the court musician of Maharana Bhupal Singh of Udaipur.
• He played a prominent role in reviving the dhrupad tradition in the 20th century along with his brother late Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar, the legendary rudra veena player.
• He was the master of srutis. He was renowned for his drupad vocal in not just India, but also across the world.
• He gave performances in various popular festivals in India and abroad.
• He won various prestigious honours and awards such as Tagore Ratna Award, Tansen Samman and Sangeet Natak Academy Fellowship.
• He was also conferred upon with the Padma Shri- India's fourth highest civilian honor in 2012, but he turned it down.
• He also remained a distinguished guest faculty at the Dhrupad Sansar of IIT Bombay for 5 years.