Legendary Ustad Zakir Hussain will be remembered through a special project conceived by Gima awardee and Grammy jury member Pt Prodyut Mukhe...
Legendary Ustad Zakir Hussain will be remembered through a special project conceived by Gima awardee and Grammy jury member Pt Prodyut Mukherjee shortly.
Pt Prodyut Mukherjee said, "It was a dark day for Indian classical music. The popularity of the tabla in Indian classical music has only been possible because of Zakir Bhai. Zakir Bhai increased the popularity of Indian classical music from America to Europe, from Europe to Africa to the whole world with his music. His popularity was so high that he got an overwhelming response wherever he played in any part of the world.
Zakir Bhai was not only a tabla maestro. He was a versatile musician. He was a global icon. On the one hand, he was an extraordinary tabla player, on the other hand, he was an extraordinary music composer and actor. He was a very kind-hearted person." Pt Mukherjee added, "Since I was 24-25 years old, I used to live in Los Angeles. I used to perform there and conduct tabla classes. Zakir Bhai used to live in San Francisco. When I was in California, I used to go to Zakir Bhai's place and get many tips. His popularity could not be understood by seeing him in person. He was always very happy and loved every artist very much. He was so humble... One incident, when I first met him in America, I called him Ustad Ji, and he told me that I am not Ustad Ji, I am only Zakir Hossain, you just call me Zakir Bhai, that is how humble this can be said. And with him, he was the master of the masters."
"I have planned to pay a special tribute to Zakir Bhai in a unique way shortly," he added.
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