The soundscape of the unheard and the heard music…Dhrupad
We all know that music can raise our mood, make us feel calm, or excite our feelings. One of the most powerful tools to influence every living thing, music is simply magic! Music has a long history of human association. But did you know which is the oldest form of Indian classical music? It is Dhrupad. Discussed in the most ancient text on Indian performing arts Natyashastra (200 BCE – 200 CE), Dhrupad has been declared a heritage art by UNESCO. Even before Natyashatra – Dhrupad traces its origin from Vedas. Most interestingly, Dhrupad has survived millennia to retain its original form even today!
Dhrupad is a combination of two words, Dhruva meaning immovable or the pole star and Pada meaning verse. It refers to both a form of poetry and a style of music in which the poetry is sung. The purpose of Dhrupad is not to entertain but to enlighten. It provides peace of mind and evokes the consciousness of the listener. It is believed that Dhrupad was initially performed in Indian temples before the deity, which gradually achieved a perfect form by the eleventh century. Later it shifted to the royal courts to come under the patronage of various kings and Maharajas of that time. The legendary Tansen sang Dhrupad compositions in the Royal Court of Badshah Akbar. From there, the influence of Dhrupad spread across the length and breadth of India. However, with the decline of the Mughal Empire, patronage to Dhrupad also started to decline and another genre of classical music, Khayal started taking over it. Having said this, Dhrupad was still very much alive and an integral part of the Indian Classical Music training. In the 1960s eminent vocalists, Nasir Aminuddin and Nasir Moinuddin Dagar revived Dhrupad through their unflinching commitment and incessant efforts and a flow of new talent from India and abroad started to enrich the music genre again.
Today, we see a few artists around the world who have given a new lease of life to Dhrupad. One prominent name among them is Parwati Dutta, an acclaimed artist, and Guru of Kathak and Odissi and Director of MAHAGAMI GURUKUL. Through her in-depth research on kathak, Dutta found that a symbiotic relationship between Gayan-Vadan-Nritya flourished in the form of Dhrupad Nritya during the reign of Mansingh Tomar in the 15th century. Inspired by the concept, she developed a research-based, innovative combination of dance and music called ‘Dhrupadangi Kathak’. She has been performing these Kathak compositions in the Dhrupad tradition since 1990.
If you too want to learn Dhrupad music, the mother of all Indian classical music forms then, a great place for you is MAHAGAMI GURUKUL.
MAHAGAMI GURUKUL– MAHAGAMI (Mahatma Gandhi Mission Sangeet Academy), Aurangabad is the first art organization in the world to be awarded an ISO certificate and the first institute from Maharashtra state to be a member of the International Dance Council, UNESCO. At MAHAGAMI, students learn Indian classical arts in the ancient tradition of Guru-Shishya Parampara. With a very limited number of students in each program, each student gets individual attention and guidance from Guru Parwati Dutta.
Diploma in Dhrupad Music:
Kalā Udayan Dhrupad | कला उदयन ध्रुपद is a 2-year part-time diploma program at MAHAGAMI and is ideal for students and young musicians. The program helps the learner develop a good understanding of Dhrupad tradition and its technical aspects. The learner is encouraged to understand the Dhrupad philosophy and create short music pieces based on the training during the program. She is also offered internships and projects with a range of arts organizations, companies, schools and colleges.
For more information about Diploma in Dhrupad Music program at MAHAGAMI,
please visit: https://mgmu.ac.in/admissions/faculty/MAHAGAMI.html
Certificate in Music:
Kalā Ādhār | कला आधार is a 2-year part-time certificate program in music at MAHAGAMI. It is ideal for those who are interested in learning Indian music including the Dhrupad tradition. The learner is introduced to the history, heritage, and fundamental concepts of Indian music. They are also trained to understand the salient features of Dhrupad music and recognize the rendition in vocal and instrumental music.
For more information about the Certificate in the Music program at MAHAGAMI,
please visit: https://mgmu.ac.in/admissions/faculty/MAHAGAMI.html/
If classical music delights you, enchants you, enthralls you, then join MAHAGAMI to find the soundtrack of your life.
To know more about MAHAGAMI GURUKUL, please visit: https://www.mahagami.com