Classic Soul
In these times of globalisation and Indipop, he can claim to be an island unto himself. In a 400-year-old continuum going back to Bhakti saint Swami Haridas of Vrindaban, the arrival of Wasifuddin Dagar heralds the twentieth generation of the Dagarvani school of the sombre Dhrupad form. So if he is not the toast of the cocktail circuit, he does not seek out to be trendy either. He isn't a high flyer -- he doesn't want to be a high flyer. His USP is rootedness.

Although Dhrupad has few takers today, Wasif has a solid and widespread group of dedicated fans and admirers. In India and Europe he commands a respectful niche market, his innate talent and a lustrous voice make his recitals something between satsang and high mass. "I am a product of the guru-shishya parampara and I want to continue with it," says Wasif, impervious to the tides of time.

Khayal maestro C. R. Vyas feels Wasif is the one who will keep the Dhrupad tradition alive. "He is one of the new generation musicians who is young, rooted in tradition yet articulate. And above all, his music is soulful." For Wasif an ambition is to see Dhrupad flourish as it once had. "If people only tried to give us a chance, India can produce another Tansen." Listen.