Vidushi Ashoka Dhar: Dhrupad Maestro
Smt.Ashoka Dhar Nandy dosn’t require much introduction, being the seniormost disciple of the Dhrupad Maestro Late Ustad Nasir Aminuddin Dagar sahib(Senior Dagar Brothers).The first female Dhrupadia from India,a true legend in her own rights.A career spanning more than 40 years of performing across the globe.
Receiver of many accolades & awards globally. In her distinguished career Ashokaji have performed in all major festivals & venues in India & Abroad. Apart from being a very well known performer Ashokaji is a very well respected teacher globally. While teaching students observed that Ashoka ji not only infused the students with great enthusiasm and respect for the ancient art of Dhrupad. She also touched the students hearts with the subtlety’s and intricacies of the pure tones, microtones and “Unstruck Sound”.
Alaap,Dhrupad and Dhamar in the dagarvani style.Dhrupad is the oldest existing form of Indian Classical Music.The origin of this music is linked to the recitation of Samaveda the sacred sanskrit text.The nature of Dhrupad music is spiritual.And this art form has a history of more than one thousand years.Dhrupad has been accepted globally as the most meditative and the purest form of Indian Classical music.
Smt.Ashoka Dhar has performed in many festivals across the world including performances
1.The Prestigeous Shiraj Festival in Iran (organized by Shah the then Ruler of Iran)in 1976
2.Bath International Music Festival , UK
3. Brighton Festival , UK 4. Festival Of India in UK (by the government of India ) in 1982
5.The Festival Of India in UK , France & Italy in 1985
5. World Sacred Music Festival , USA .
6.Dhrupad Festival organized by AMC in UK in 1992.
7.Festival of India in Rome in 1978
8.Adidam World Music Festival in Fiji Islands , Australia , New Zealand & USA from 2006,2007 & 2008
She has also performed in major venues across the continents which include:
1.The Royal Albert Hall, London
2.Koninklijke Schouwburg , Den Haag,
3.Theatre de la Ville, Paris
4. Queen Elizabeth Hall,London
5.Purcell Room, London
6.ICC Berlin , Germany .
7.Theater De La Ville,Paris.
8.Musee Guimet,Paris
The Countries which have hosted Ashokaji's performances are:
Germany,Holland,France,Belgium,Austria,Italy,Switzerland,Spain,Sweden,Denmark,UK,USA,Australia,New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand,Iran, UAE,Jordan & Fiji Islands.
Some Major Performances in India:
a)Performed at Spic Macay National Convention in Delhi,Calcutta &Bombay in the year 1982,1989 and 2000.
b)Performed at Spic Macay festivals inBenaras,Delhi,Kota,Anand,Ahmedabad,Bombay & Ranchi.
c)Performed at Tansen Samaroah Gwalior along with Guruji Ustad Nasir Aminuddin Dagar Sahab.
d)Performed at Sawai Gandharva Festival along with Guruji Ustad Nasir Aminuddin Dagar Sahab.
e)Performed at Swami Haridas Sammelan in Mumbai .
f)Performed at Sangeet Natak Academy Festivals in
Ambejogai,Nathadwara,Mumbai.
g)Performed at International Music Festival in Varanasi in 2001.
h)Performed at Dhrupad Soceity Festivals in Delhi.
i)Performed at Dagar Saptak festivals in Delhi,Jaipur,Calcutta,Bhopal & Bangalore.
j)Performed at the Dhrupad Mela in Varanasi.
k)Performed at the Grindleys Bank Music Festival in
Mumbai,Chennai,Bangalore,Calcutta along with Guruji Ustad Nasir Aminuddin Dagar Sahab.
l)Performed at the Rama Krishna Mission Festival in Itanagar(Arunachal Pradesh)along with Guruji Ustad Nasir Aminuddin Dagar Sahab.
m)Performed at the 15th Baba Beharam Khan Dagar Dhrupad Samaroah in Jaipur in the year 1999.
n)Performed at IIM Joka in the year 2002.
o)Performing regularly in India in various festivals.
Some major performances Abroad:
a)Performed at the Prestigious "Shiraj Festival" along with Ustad Nasir Aminuddin Dagar Sahab in the year 1976.
b)Performed at the "Festival Of India" in Roma(Italy) along with Ustad Nasir Aminuddin Dagar Sahab in the year 1978.
c)Performed at the "Festival of India" in UK &Germany along with Ustad Nasir Aminuddin Dagar Sahab in the year 1982.
d)Performed at the "India Festival" in UK,France & Germany along with Ustad Nasir Aminuddin Dagar Sahab in the year 1985.
e)Performed at the "Dhrupad Festival" in UK organized by the Asian Music Circuit of London in the year 1992.
f)Peformed at Dhaka (Bangladesh)organized by the ICCR(Indian Council for Cultural Relations)in the year 1993.
g)Performed in Germany with the Invitation from the(Duetsch Indische Gessel Schraft &Indo German Soceity)in Kassel,Bonn,Koln & Mechenheim in August 1999.
h)Performed in various venues in USA including UCLA, UCSC & EWCC in September 1999.
i)Performed in Various venues in UK with the ICCR in October 2000.
j)Performed in France(Paris,Leon) in November 2000.
k)Performed in Germany,Holland,France,Belgium & Italy in April/May 2001.Performed in a special concert with Bahauddin Dagar in Paris.
l)Performed in Germany,UK & Holland in October/November 2001.Given workshops at (SOAS)University of London & Venlo(Holland) in the sametour.
m)Performed in Germany,France,Holland,Italy & Austria in April/May 2002.
n)Performed in UK & Holland in October/November 2002.Took classes at (SOAS) & in Amsterdam(Holland).
o)Performed in UK,Holland,France &Austria with the invitation from ICCR in April/May 2003.
p)Performed in UK, France &Holland in November/December 2003.
q)Performed in Holland &Germany in April/May 2004.
r)Performed in UK,Holland & Belgium with the invitation from AMC(UK) &Alandi (Holland) in November/December 2004.
s)Performed in Holland & Germany with the invitation from DIG(Germany) & Alandi (Holland)in May & June 2005.
t)Performed in various places in Holland,Germany & UK with invitation from AMC and Nehru Centre London in October & November 2005.
u)Performed in Various places in UK,Holland,Germany & Austria with invitation from ICCR & University of Vienna in March & April 2006.
v)Performed & Toured in Fiji Islands & Australia with the invitation from Adidam(Adi Da Samrajashram,Naitauba)in June & July 2006.
w)Performed & Toured in various places in Germany,Holland,Italy & UK with the invitation from Adidam,Aurobindo Ashram(Auroville International
Meet),Asian Music Circuit of London & Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan, London in September,October & November 2006.
x)Toured & Performed in various places in Holland,Germany,UK& Belgium in March & April 2007.
y)Toured & Performed in Fiji Islands & Australia in June & July 2007.
z)Toured & Performed in Holland,Germany,Belgium & UK in October &November 2007.
i)Toured & Performed in Holland & Germany in March & April 2008.
ii)Toured & Performed in Fiji Islands in July 2008.
iii) Toured & Performed in Holland,Belgium & Germany in October & November 2008.
iv)Toured & Performed inUK, Holland,Germany,Belgium,Austria & Italy in March/April 2009.
v)Toured & Performed in Holland,Germany & Belgium in October 2009.
vi)Toured & Performed in Holland & Germany in April/May 2010.
vii)Toured & Performed in Holland,Germany,Belgium & Austria in April/May 2011.
viii)Toured & Performed in Holland,Germany in October 2011.
ix)Toured & Performed in Holland & Germany in April/May 2012.
x)Toured & Performed in Holland,Germany & Belgium in October 2012.
xi)Toured & Performed in Holland, Germany,Austria in May 2013.
xii)Toured & Performed in Holland,Germany,Belgium,Austria & Switzerland in September/October 2013
xiii)Toured & Performed in Holland & Germany in May 2014.
xiv)Toured & Performed in Holland in october 2014.
Discography:
CDS released from the Makar Records of France. AMC from UK. Alandi from Holland.
CDS released from Riverside Studios in Alkmaar,Holland in October 2005.
CDS released from Riverside Studious in Alkmaar(Holland) for a double CD pack released in 2006.
Some major Achievements:
a)Awarded Sangeet Bisharad from Pune in the year 1967.
b)Awarded Scholarship from the Sangeet Natak Academi ,Delhi for 3 yrs from 1980 to 1983.
c)Awarded National Scholarship for 5yrs from 1984 to 1989.
d)"Suromoni Award" from Mumbai in the year 1985.
e)Achieved B-High Grade from the All India Radio in 1995.And A-Grade in the year 2003 from All India Radio.
f)Featured in the film made on the life of Ustad Nasir Aminuddin Dagar sahab "THE RECLUSE"in 1992 by Arvind Sinha.This film has won the National Award and was shown at the International Film festival in Cannes.
g)Given live Interview at the German Radio "DW" in the year 1999.
h)Given an Interview at the BBC Radio in the year 2003.
i)Featured in the film by Sri.Gautam Ghosh on The Doyens Of Indian Classical Music with Ustad Nasir Aminuddin Dagar sahab.
j)Featured in the Dhrupad film made by Sri.Arvind Sinha in the year 2001.
k)Sangeet Natak Academy Award.
Tour starts in 8th May 2015 till 26th May 2015, touring Holland, Germany