Veena-player Bahauddin Dagar is one of the leading musicians keeping alive and developing the “Dhrupad” tradition - one of the oldest style of North-Indian. Based on the heritage of his father Zia Mohiuddin Dagar, he has one of the deepest and most nuanced understandings of the inner content of the Raga’s.
This he combines with a curiosity and innovative quest that brings the “Dhrupad" tradition into the 21st century with full integrity.

The Dagar family’s hospitality and openness towards the world and musicians from other cultures is legendary.
Since the 70’s first Zia Mohiuddin Dagar and later his son Bahauddin Dagar has met and invited musicians - particular from the jazz community - to their “Gurukul" (home and learning center) outside Mumbai.

During our tour in India last december/january the Jazz Explorer Trio (Lars Møller, saxophone – Thor Madsen, guitar - Jonas Johansen, drums) enjoyed the great privilege of spending a few days at Bahauddin’s Gurukul, where we engaged in discussion about art, culture and particular got the most splendid initiation into the colorful emotions of the beautiful “Raga Jog”.

On this video-recording Bahauddin Dagar delivers his truly great interpretation of the traditional Alap and Jor/Jhalla.
Coming up in a separate video Bahauddin will explain and show the melodic and microtonal content of Raga Jog.

On the album “Glow of Benares” (Dacapo Records) we have released the composition “Funky Jog” with violin player Kala Ramnath, tabla-player Abhijit Banerjee, Aarhus Jazz Orchestra and The Danish Sinfonietta.
Composed by Lars Møller “Funky Jog” combines the the “Jog” raga-universe and the traditional indian Ardha Jaital rhythm (6 1/2 beats) with the colors and expression of the western orchestra format.
https://youtu.be/73vkyG6Ag3U

Lars, Thor and Jonas