Remembering the tabla maestro
One of the greatest tabla players of the century, Ustad Alla Rakha, fondly known as Abbaji, enthralled music lovers all over the world. The event, A Homage to Abbaji — Ustad Alla Rakha, began right from his first death anniversary on February 3, 2001, as a tribute to him. The event, which is now in its 20th year, will see many renowned artistes come together to remember the tabla maestro.
Born in 1919 in Jammu, Ustad Alla Rakha learnt tabla from Punjab Gharana guru Mian Qadar Baksh. He also learnt singing from Ustad Ashiq Ali Khan. Later, he moved to Mumbai to compose music for Hindi films. He gave music for nearly 45 films from 1944 until 1968 using the name AR Qureshi. He then left film music to focus on the tabla and is credited with raising its status as a classical concert instrument.
He was also part of the ensemble accompanying Pandit Ravi Shankar during George Harrison’s Concert held in New
York City, USA, in 1971. The success of the live album and concert film from this event presented Indian classical music to a global audience.
Shedding light on the annual event, his son an tabla maestro Zakir Hussain says, “Throughout these 20 years, we have had th good fortune of having some of the greatest luminaries of Indian music bless this occasion, along with masters representing many musical and rhythmic traditions from all across the globe.”
Singer Suresh Wadkar, who will be performing at the event, says, “A few years ago, I had the privilege to pay my tribute to Abbaji in the yearly concert organised by Zakir bhai. That memory will remain with me forever and I’ll always cherish it. I feel doubly blessed to be able to play along with the fascinating Zakir bhai this time.”
A few years ago, I had the privilege to pay my tribute to Abbaji in the yearly concert organised by Zakir bhai. That memory will remain with me forever. SURESH WADKAR, SINGER
Drummer Gino Banks, who has grown up watching this annual tribute show, says, it is an honour for him to collect these experiences. “I have had the pleasure to experience India’s greatest musicians along with the world’s best and have been in awe of it all. It has been a huge inspiration in my musical life,” he shares.