Dhrupad is the most ancient style of classical music that has survived until today in its original form and is a major heritage

and tradition of Indian culture. The nature of Dhrupad music is spiritual. It is a form of devotional music that traces its origin

to the ancient t ext of the Sam Veda. The SAM VEDA was chanted with the help of melody and rhythm called Samgana. One

significant characteristic of Dhrupad is the emphasis on maintaining purity of the Ragas and the Swaras. According to some

accounts Dhrupad was sung in temples. From this early chanting, Dhrupad evolved into a sophisticated classical form of music.

The pristine nature of Dhrupad survived and even today we hear this majestic form of music performed like it was more than

500 years ago in India.

--Umakant and Ramakant Gundecha, are one of India's leading exponents of the Dhrupad style of music. They are among

the most active young performers of Dhrupad in Indian and International circuits. They have recorded more than 25 CDs and

cassettes for many Indian and International recording companies. The Gundecha brothers have sung great Hindi peory by

Tulsidas, Kabir, Padmakar, Nirala, etc. Born in Ujjain in Central India, both were initiated into music by their parents.

Gundecha Brothers received conventional university education and learned the Dhrupad vocal art under the renowned

Dhrupad vocalist Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar and also Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar (the distinguished performer of Rudra

Veena) in Dhrupad Kendra, Bopal.

--Akhilesh Gundecha has learned Pakhawaj, playing from Pandit Shrikant Mishra and Raja Chhatatrapati Singh JuDeo. He

is a post graduate in music and a graduate in Law. He also got a scholarship from Ustad Allauddin Khan Sangeet Academy,

Bhopal and Govt. of India. He has accompanied many of the Dhrupad Maestros.

Samples are available of this ancient classical music at the links below:

Gundecha Brothers on YouTube

Gundecha Brothers on Last FM