Pandit Nirmalya Dey is a world renowned master vocalist and teacher in the tradition of Dagarvani dhrupad. He was initiated into this ancient majestic and spiritual musical form by Professor Nimaichand Boral in 1978, who was a disciple of the legendary dhrupad performer, Ustad Nasir Moinuddin Dagar. Later, Nirmalya learned in the true tradition of Guru-Shishya Parampara, spending extended time with another legendary dhrupad master, Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar. Nirmalya learned and also regularly performed on stage with Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar from 1988 until Ustad passed away in 2013. Nirmalya imbibed the traditional musical form and its nuances meticulously, from his teacher, who represented the 19th unbroken generation of the dhrupad performing Dagar family. Nirmalya went on to evolve his own distinctive style and approach to dhrupad.
Early in his career, Nirmalya Dey’s musical prowess was evident when he won the first prize in the National Music Competition organized by the All India Radio in 1979. In recognition of his excellence and achievement in dhrupad, Nirmalya was awarded the senior fellowship by the ministry of Human Resource Department of the Government of India.
Nirmalya is a distinguished artist and has been invited to perform in numerous prestigious festivals and concerts in India and abroad. Despite the demands placed on his schedule as a performer, Nirmalya is a devoted teacher, grooming and initiating the next generation of artists in the dhrupad. Nirmalya has taught at the University of Delhi and Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra (Delhi) and conducted workshops all over the world, including in Europe and North America. When not performing, Nirmalya teaches at the Dhrupad Gurukul in Delhi, India.
More details about Pandit Nirmalya Dey are available at his official website
http://www.nirmalyadhrupad.org/