Zia Mohiuddin Dagar Biography 
Zia Mohiuddin Dagar popularly known as Z. M. Dagar was an Indian classical vocalist of Dhrupad sangeet, a form of Indian classical music. Inherited music from his family, Dagar is a descendant of the legendary Haridas Dagar, Tansen's teacher. Dagar’s family is associated with music for many generations. Zia Fariduddin Dagar is his younger brother. Other exponents of Dhrupad sangeet who belonged to his family include - ‘Dagar Brothers’ consisting of siblings - Ustad Nasir Faiyazuddin Dagar and Ustad N. Zahiruddin Dagar, Ustad A. Rahimuddin Dagar, Ustad Aminuddin Dagar, Ustad Rahim Fahimuddin Dagar and Ustad H. Sayeeduddin Dagar. Bahauddin Dagar and Wasifuddin Dagar, his nephew and disciple are among the youngest members of the family who carries forward the tradition.
He was born in Udaipur, Rajasthan on 14 March 1929. His family inherited music for 20 generations and preserved Dhrupad sangeet for future generations. His father Ustad Ziauddin Khan Sahib was the court musician of Maharana Bhupal Singh of Udaipur. He learnt dhrupad vocal & veena from his father. Born into the legendary family of Dhrupad sangeet, following his father’s demise he also taught his younger brother Zia Fariduddin Dagar who became a leading name of this form of classical music. As a member of 19th generation of Dagar family dhrupad musicians, he is instrumental in reviving rudra veena in the 20th century and widely regarded as the foremost Rudra veena player of 20th century. In those days Veena was not played in public. Yet he gave his first public performance of rudra veena at the age of 16.
Following Indian independence, the concept of princely states was abolished and Dagar family who had been court musicians for many generations lost that status. Initially he was discouraged by his father to adopt veena as his primary instrument. But through his determination and hard work, he transformed it into a larger bass instrument called Dagar Veena. He was also known for his signature style of slow development of ragas. He has widely performed in the West, thus playing a pivot role in popularizing this music segment in Western Culture.
Published: N/A
Updated: March 27, 2016
