Baha’ud’din Dagar hails from the Illustrious Dagar family, and represents the 20th Generation of the Dagar parampara of the Dagarbani school of Music. The Dagar family has made great contributions to Indian music, having started and sustained one of the 3 major traditions of Dhrupad – the Dagar school. Baha’ud’din Dagar is a master of a very rare instrument, the Been, more popularly known as the Rudra Veena. His father, Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar and uncle, Ustad Zia Fareeduddin Dagar, had both studied vocal music, the sitar, and the Been, from his grandfather, Ustad Ziauddin Khan. They kept the Dagar tradition alive and were instrumental in reviving it through their students.
Baha’ud’din Dagar began his training with his father at the age of 11. He learnt with vocal music as a base, and continues to practise with vocal music even today. His father passed away when he was only 20 years old, so his training was continued with his uncle. He began performing and teaching at around this time, and benefitted a great deal from that experience. He has been associated with SPIC MACAY from the very start of his career and enjoyes educational tours to take his music to the next generation.
Sri Baha’ud’din Dagar has performed in concert all around the world and India and has recorded albums with several music labels. He currently runs the Dhrupad Gurukul at Mumbai, which was started by his father in 1988.