Here is a reference to one of my favorite musicals. But more importantly, it’s a nod to the hidden music in our lives…
Yugen Quest Review has brought out a beautiful tribute to the late percussion maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain. Link here

 

My memory of Ustadji’s performance was actually when he and his brother Fazal Qureshi performed with their father the illustrious Ustad Alla Rakha. Zakirji (and Fazal) was most respectful and performed in the most reverential manner. I sat mesmerized as beat after beat of the ancient instrument transported me far from the grounds of Indian Institute of Technology. Spellbound, I watched Alla Rakhaji’s fingers fly over the puri, the hide on the drum heads reverberating in deference and adoration of the fingers of the maestro.

 

Several months later I watched the tabla reacting lovingly to Ustad Zakirji on stage and I saw the down to earth manner in which he brought Indian classical music to the lay person. The rigor of his training, the genius that lay in his talent all shone through. As they moved over the drum heads, his fingers transformed into a visual blur and all I could see was music hovering over the daya and baya, the right and left drums that make up the tabla. 

Magic.

Rest in peace Ustad Zakir Hussain (9 March 1951 – 15 December 2024), thank you for the music.

Check out the latest issue of Yugen Quest Review Drums, Hearts & Beats! Link above.