Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar (IN)

Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar, born in 1968, is one of the leading living exponents of the North Indian Dhrupad tradition and belongs to the famous Dagar gharana, which has passed down this musical form for over twenty generations. A student of Ustad Nasir Faiyazuddin and Ustad Nasir Zahiruddin Dagar, he inherited a repertoire and a practice that combine rigorous discipline, orality, and a contemplative dimension. Dhrupad, one of the oldest forms of Indian classical music, is based on a slow and deep exploration of the raga, and on a vocal approach that privileges resonance, purity of intonation, and continuity of sound. Wasifuddin Dagar is known for his ability to keep this tradition alive without allowing it to become rigid: his performances demonstrate absolute breath control, a masterful handling of the alaap (the introductory non-rhythmic section), and a particular sensitivity to the spiritual dimension of singing. He has performed in concerts worldwide, contributing to the dissemination of Dhrupad beyond purely specialist contexts. His presence in dialogue with other languages, as in the Inner_Spaces season, highlights the possibility of coexisting a centuries-old practice with contemporary forms of listening, without altering its depth.