The Gentle Giant - Pt. Firoz Dastur
Pandit Firoz Dastur was a musician par excellence in the Kirana Gharana tradition of Hindustani Classical Music. His journey from a young film star to a Classical Vocalist and a revered Guru is inspiring in many ways. Discover his music and his life-story in this exhibition.
By Baithak Foundation
Baithak Foundation
Firoz Dastur in Film (2019) by Illustrated by: Rukmini ChakravartyBaithak Foundation
A Film Star
Firoz landed up in the Indian film industry by chance. He had a flair for music and a family supportive of his talents. JBH Wadia was delighted to know that he could not only sing well but remember his lines too! Hear Dastur ji speak about his childhood and entry into Films.
Lal-E-Yaman a 1933 Wadia Movietone FilmBaithak Foundation
The play of chance
Firoz soon drew a princely salary of INR 1500 during the early 1930s!
Firoz Dastur Teaching (2019) by Illustrated by: Rukmini ChakravartyBaithak Foundation
A Devoted Guru
Dastur ji taught at the Mumbai University and even today he is remembered for his gentle and graceful demeanour. He was teaching students till the end of his life. His students were family and they were bonded by love that extended beyond classroom.
Pt. Firoz Dastur enjoying in a green roomBaithak Foundation
A Celebrated Artist
Listen to his brief introduction: Pt. Firoz Dastur was initiated into Classical Music by Shri. K.D. Jaokar and was then trained by Balkrisanabuva Kapileshwari. He then received training under the great Guru of Kirana Gharana Rambhau Kundgolkar aka Pt. Sawai Gandharva.
A Celebrated Artist
He will be singing Raga Lalat followed by Bairagi and then a Bhajan in Raga Bhairavi. He is accompanied by Shri. Nerurkar on Tabla and P. Madhukar on the Harmonium. We welcome the concluding artist of the 2nd Maharashtra Rajya Sangeet Mahotsav, 1962.
FD with Pets (2019) by Illustrated by: Rukmini ChakravartyBaithak Foundation
Embodiment of Love
Pt. Firoz Dastur was love incarnate. Oral history is replete with anecdotes of his connection with humans and animals alike. His sensitive being flowed through his music. Here is a recording of a thumri, a semi-classical composition steeped in the emotion of love.
20 Years Apart
Dastur ji sings the same thumri and this version is 20 years older than the previous one. Here is an example of how a musician matures. Like a seasoned old pickle the taste enhances.
Firoz Dastur with with Gangubai and BhimsenjiBaithak Foundation
Singing to Steal Your Heart
Listen to this magical recording of Bhairavi thumri from the same concert in 1962 that is testimony to his musical genius. Observe and note the impact of his tuneful singing and the emotive character of his voice.
Music originates in silence and then folds back into it. - Pt. Firoz Dastur
Ustad Amir Khan
Pt. Firoz Dastur was greatly inspired by the music of Ustad Amir Khan. Here is an exhibition on the Ustad's life and music.
