The Dhrupad Collections – Preserving Indian Musical Heritage in Berlin

Since the 1960s, Berlin has been closely linked to the history of Dhrupad. Back then, the legendary Dagar Brothers performed at Charlottenburg Palace, introducing this centuries-old Indian musical tradition to a European audience. Their performances shaped the reception of Dhrupad in Europe and helped to revive interest in this music in India as well.

The focus of the evening will be the presentation of the unique collection of Dhrupad manuscripts and archival recordings held by the Ethnological Museum in Berlin, which includes personal records of the Dagar family and will be discussed with the public for the first time.

Prof. Francesca Cassio, Chair in Sikh Musicology at Hofstra University in New York, ethnomusicologist and student of Ustad R. Fahimuddin Khan Dagar, will explain the historical links between Berlin and India. She will also provide insights into the current academic research being carried out on the documents and into how this special collection can be made accessible to a wider audience in future.

The lecture will be held in English and will be accompanied by a musical performance of traditional Dhrupads from the Gurbani tradition.

Together with Parminder Singh Bhamra from India on the traditional pakhawaj drum, Prof. Cassio will bring the soundscape of Dhrupad to life on stage.

Prof. Francesca Cassio recently published a monograph, which will be presented this evening, on the Berlin-based Amelia Cuni, the first European woman to pursue a professional career in Dhrupad.

Come and experience a special evening to mark the conclusion of ‘ErzählStoff’, and discover the history and present-day scene of Dhrupad in Berlin.

Free admission.