March 13, 2010 (Sampurn Wire):India’s noted percussionist Zakir Hussain will get together with percussionists Taufiq Qureshi, Navin Sharma, Sridar Parthasarathy, the Motilal Dhakis from Bengal, sarangi player Sabir Khan and the violin duo of Ganesh and Kumaresh at the event organised by World Music Institute in New York this week.
.JPG "Zakir Hussain at the launch of Sivamani_s debut album _Mahaleela_ in Mumbai on 10th December 2008 (40)")
Hussain who has been touring India and abroad feels that the best way to let new people showcase their talent is by taking them to tours. He first makes them perform in India and when he is sure about them being confident in front of large audience, takes them abroad. For instance, the Dhakis from Bengal. They are famous for their performances during Durga puja in Bengal and now will be performimg with hussain himself in New York.
Hussain believes that lately percussionists in India have started getting their due recognition. Earlier they were given train tickets while singers and other instrumentalists travelled in air but now they get good treatment and attention. Even then, he feels that there are many unsung percussionists around. In fact, that is one of the reasons why he started this project on his father Ustad Allah Rakha’s suggestion in 1996.
Hussain says that whatever he is today is due to the encouragement, inspiration and life lessons he learnt from his father. He says that he father always said to him that “don’t try to be a leader, be a good student”.
