Ustad Z. M. Dagar was not only the world's best known exponent of the rare rudra veena, he was also one of the very few remaining instrumental masters of dhrupad, the major classical genre of Hindustani vocal music between the 15th and 19th centuries.
He was an artist who chose to deal with the most fundamental, austere and refined aspects of Hindustani music, yet his playing was devoid of showmanship or superficiality.
By performing mainly 'alap' he made the profound musical statement that in 'alap' alone, and particularly in the 'alap' of Yaman, the essence of raga could be revealed.