Live 20th Century - Baithak Series Vol. 1

Live 20th Century – Baithak Series Vol. 1 is a live album by Indian classical vocalist Nasir Faiyazuddin Dagar. Released on January 1, 2004, the recording captures a performance in the baithak (intimate concert) tradition of Dhrupad, a genre within Hindustani classical music. The album serves as the first installment in the Baithak Series, though the full scope of the series remains undocumented in available sources.

The release features a single raga performance, Raga Bhatiyaar, presented across four tracks. The structure adheres to the Dhrupad format, beginning with three successive alaap sections in vilambit (slow), madhyalaya (medium), and drut (fast) tempos. The final track introduces a composed bandish (lyrical composition) titled Shiva Shiva Shiva Shankar, a devotional piece addressed to the Hindu deity Shiva. The total runtime and label information are not specified in existing records.

Nasir Faiyazuddin Dagar, a practitioner of the Dagar bani (style), belonged to the 19th generation of the Dagar family, a lineage central to the preservation of Dhrupad. The album reflects the improvisational and meditative qualities of the tradition, emphasizing sustained vocal phrases and rhythmic intricacy. No accompanying instrumentalists or additional artists are credited in the available tracklisting.

The recording context suggests an acoustic setting, though specific venue details, production personnel, or technical specifications for the live capture are not provided. The Baithak Series title implies a focus on unamplified, chamber-style performances, a hallmark of Dhrupad recitals in the 20th century. Further volumes in the series, if released, are not cross-referenced in this entry.