Our Roots
An international residential Gurukul of Dhrupad.
The idea of Gurukul Dhrupad Sansthan was conceived in the late 90s by the Gundecha Brothers. Having learnt the nuances of Dhrupad under the legendary Dhrupad maestros Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar and Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar in an atmosphere of rigorous and intense training, and having greatly benefitted from being in the constant presence of their Gurus even in day to day practice sessions, they founded Dhrupad Sansthan in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh with an ardent desire to offer the same atmosphere to their own disciples.
The Gurukul is an inclusive space for students from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds to pursue Dhrupad comfortably, without hindrance. The aim of the Gundecha Brothers has been to promote, propagate and preserve Dhrupad, the oldest form of music in India, that forms a part of the nation’s rich cultural heritage. Dhrupad Sansthan was inaugurated by Bharat Ratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi on November 4th, 2004. Gurukul’s most recent hostel “Ustad Zakiruddin Khan Sadharini Niwas” was inaugurated by Ustad Zakir Hussain.
Staying true to their vision of upholding the principles of the Guru-shishya parampara, Gurukul Dhrupad Sansthan Bhopal, does not provide any degree courses. All the students at the Gurukul are taught individually, thus receiving ample opportunity to nurture their own individual strengths and potential to the maximum possible extent.
The Gurus are the Gundecha Brothers, Pt. Umakant Gundecha and Pt. Akhilesh Gundecha. Lodging and boarding facilities are available at the Gurukul for the students and faculty. The Hostel has a capacity to accommodate upto 100 students.
The Gurukul has a vast library with books to study and research the theory of Dhrupad music. Musicians and other artists are regularly invited to seminars, lectures and in-house concerts at the Gurukul. The Dhrupad Sansthan aims to document, archive and research available information about Dhrupad, its illustrious history, audio and video reference materials, musical texts and biographies of legendary artists.
To know more about the life of a disciple at the Gurukul