"Dhrupad Mela" Varanasi, 1st March 2011. Dhrupad is the oldest existing form of traditional Indian Classical Music. It has evolved from the chanting of the sacred syllable "Om", which has been used as a meditation technique since oldest times. The Sound of "Om" is claimed to be the source of all creation. It has a spiritually purifying effect on the person who is chanting, as well as on the environment. That spiritual depth can be also experienced in a good rendering of Dhrupad music. As a form of classical Indian art the recital of Dhrupad vocal can be traced back to recitations of the Samaveda, one of the oldest classical Sanskrit texts. Dhrupad is following strictly the rules for classical singing, as they are prescribed in the ancient texts. So this art is marked by austerity, giving much emphasis on maintaining the purity of the Ragas and Swaras. Traditionally a Dhrupad recital is accompanied only by the instruments Tanpura and Pakhawaj. The special beauty of Dhrupad music is experienced in the complete presentation of Alap, which is significant for the Dagar Gharana. Lakhan Lal Sahu was born in Narsinghpur, Madhyapradesh in 1969. He completed his graduation in Mathematics. His Professor Shri D. K. Dubey recognized his talent and interest in classical music and such inspired him to pursue in the world of music on full time basis. He was selected as a scholarship student for the study of Dhrupad in Guru -- Shishya Parampara by "Ustad Allauddin khan Sangeet Academy". Under the tutorship of Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar he was trained in Dhrupad vocal in the "Dhrupad Kendra", Bhopal, for a period of four years, from 1993 to 1997. During that time he also did accompany his Ustad at very prestigious venues, as a part of his training. After his graduation from the "Dhrupad Kendra", in Bhopal, he continued the training under his Ustad at the "Dhrupad Gurukul" in Palaspe Village, Navi Mumbai. From then on Lakhan Lal Sahu also started to give performances of Dhrupad Vocal recitals on his own, as well as teaching his own students in Mumbai. For the year 2000 he was selected as recipient of a one-year-scholarship by "Dr. S.R.B Patel Trust" , Mumbai. After 2000 he did start to travel to Europe and perform his Dhrupad Vocal recitations at various venues. He also conducts Dhrupad workshops for students in India and abroad.