The Dhrupad Music Institute of America, a 501 (c) (3) Non-Profit organization, was founded to promote, propagate, encourage, and support the performance and teaching of Dhrupad, both vocal and instrumental (on such instruments as the pakhawaj, rudra vina, and surbahar in particular, as well as other instruments), in order to increase public awareness and knowledge of Dhrupad music in the United States.
Dhrupad is an ancient style of Indian classical music. It is a performance art with a concert format that is conducive to showcasing a deep and broad, immersive and engaging exploration of music. It is a compedium of music, because it offers a vast range of swaras (notes), shrutis (microtones) and talas (rhythms). Musicians render this vast range by exploring a chosen raga with alaaps (improvisations) in four increasing speeds, with padas (compositions) that showcase poetry and with intricate rhythms that are rendered on the accompanying pakhawaj (percussion instrument). An ancient feature of Dhrupad is that the compositions circle back to the beginning. The word Dhrupad, which reflects this circling back is derived from "Dhruva", the North Star, Polaris and "pada" meaning poetry.
Dhrupad performances are accessible to beginners. As listening sensitivity grows, the listener gets a greater understanding of the detailed techniques in use, and starts to hear microtones in ever finer detail. Listeners' enjoyment of performances therefore evolves with their own musical abilities.
The study of Dhrupad is very detailed, and is said to increase observational skills including those of the student's own mind. Thus, Dhrupad is also considered a meditative and introspective art.
Dhrupad has waxed and waned in popularity over the centuries, and is currently gaining a strong following. Its steadfast, precise, comprehensive and improvisational nature attracts audiences all over the world.
