Dhrupad singer Asgari Bai dead

TIKAMGARH (MP): Renowned Dhrupad singer Asgari Bai died here today after a prolonged illness. She was 88.

Asgari Bai, who was undergoing treatment for several ailments related to old age for the past one year, is survived by four sons and three daughters, her family said.

Crowned with many awards, the artiste enthralled music lovers not only in Madhya Pradesh but across the country with her unique style and talent for decades. She was awarded the Padmashri on March 24, 1990.

A recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi award in February 1987, Asgari Bai was honoured by the Madhya Pradesh government with the Tansen Samman in December 1985 and the Sikhar Samman in February 1986.

Born in 1918 at Bijawar in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur district to a family of musicians, she learnt and nurtured singing since childhood.

Her mother Nazir Begum was a court singer for the erstwhile royal family of Bijawar, while her grandmother Balayat Bibi adorned the court of Ajaygarh princely state.

Trained under the guidance of Ustad Zahur Khan, Asgari Bai acquired extraordinary expertise in Dhrupad to reign as the main court singer for the Orchha dynasty. She was also invited by other royal families to treat music lovers to her spellbinding performances.