The Dagar Brothers

In the field of contemporary dhrupad singing, the Dagar Brothers are legends. Since there have been a succession of Dagar Brothers, a little chronology may help to prise them apart. The family had been court musicians in Indore. In 1936 Nasiruddin Khan Dagar died at the age of 41. His eldest sons, Moinuddin and Aminuddin, continued the family tradition of singing dhrupad and were responsible for introducing this austere, stately form to western ears. In 1966 Moinuddin died and Nasir Zahiruddin Dagar (1933-) and Nasir Faiyazuddin Dagar (1934-1989) took over. It was their work in particular that made such an enormous mark on Indian music lovers.