Ustad H. Sayeeduddin Dagar

Ustad Hussain Sayeeduddin Dagar, popularly known as Saeed Bhai, was an eminent Dhrupad vocalist and a key torchbearer of the historic Dagar tradition. Born on 20 April 1939 in Alwar, Rajasthan, he was born into the illustrious Dagar family, a lineage that has preserved and transmitted Dhrupad music across generations. He was the son of Ustad Hussainuddin Khan Dagar and is recognized as the last representative of the 19th generation of the Dagar lineage, also referred to as the Dagar saptak.

His formal musical training began at the age of six under the guidance of his father, Ustad Hussainuddin Khan Dagar. After his father’s passing in 1963, his training continued under his uncle, Ustad Rahimuddin Khan Dagar. Growing up in an environment steeped in Dhrupad aesthetics, Sayeeduddin Dagar absorbed the essential principles of alap, nom-tom, voice culture, and raga development that define the Dagar bani. His musical upbringing placed him alongside other celebrated members of the family, including the Senior Dagar Brothers, the Younger Dagar Brothers, and maestros such as Zia Mohiuddin Dagar and Zia Fariduddin Dagar.

As a performer, H. Sayeeduddin Dagar was known for his dignified, meditative approach to Dhrupad, emphasizing purity of swara, controlled voice production, and deep raga exploration. He performed in India and abroad, contributing to the continued presence of Dhrupad on major classical platforms. He also appeared in culturally significant projects, including the well-known television series Bharat Ek Khoj.

Beyond performance, he played an active role in the institutional support of Dhrupad music, serving as the president of the Dhrupad Society in Jaipur and Pune. In his later years, he resided in Pune, where he remained closely connected to students, scholars, and fellow practitioners of the tradition. Ustad Hussain Sayeeduddin Dagar passed away on 30 July 2017, leaving behind a legacy rooted in discipline, lineage, and unwavering commitment to the Dhrupad tradition.