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Ustad Zakir Hussain mesmerises devotees

He was blessed to enjoy during the 1970s

Anantapur: A legendary offering was in the offing and the artiste was Ustad Zakir Hussain, internationally renowned tabla maestro. The Jhoola Mahotsav-am on the birthday evening was scheduled to Tuesday evening as part 90th birth anniversary celebrations of Baba at Prashanti Nilayam.

Striking a familiar chord with India's rich "Guru" tradition, Ustad Zakir Hussain, began with musings, bursting into the famous Guru Mantra, Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu.

Pointing to Jhoola Sai, he said, Guru is there, Guru is here (in his heart) and Guru is everywhere. He then recounted his heart's rich content of familiarity with Bhagawan. He was blessed to enjoy during the 1970s, and later during the 70th birthday celebrations of Baba, when, he, along with his father Ustad Alla Rakha Khan performed at Saikulwanth Hall.

In the next one hour, tabla stole the limelight, with Ustad weaving his magical spell for Bhagawan. Ustad commenced his recital with the spell bounding "Peshkar" in the traditional style of Punjab Gharana. Following this, he moved on to play two "Kaidas" of Delhi and Farukkhabad Gharanas. Next was the thunderous "Rela" in Madhya Laya.

He explained the importance and significance of the word "Tala". His magical tabla brought out the sounds of "Damaru" (the percussion instrument of Lord Shiva), the conch, steam engine and the energetic horse galloping.

The concert ended in faster tempo with "tukdas, chakradhars and dhir dhir rela" leaving the devotee-audience, wishing there was more from him.

His countless magical finger beats in the evening struck a resonant chord with the equally countless heartbeats present, transporting them to meditative, ecstatic, euphoric heigh-ts. Every finger beat appeared representing the exuberant joy of Mother Earth, celebrating the footsteps of beloved Baba. Every finger beat appeared representing the euphoric elated celebration of the countless heavens watching the carnival on Earth.

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( Source : deccan chronicle )
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