50 artistes to pay tribute to Zakir Hussain on 1st death anniversary

Earlier this year, after releasing Mind Explosion, Shakti’s final album, and a dedication to Hussain, Mclaughlin brought the band to a close. Mclaughlin, along with current members of the band, including Shankar Mahadevan, V Selvaganesh and Ganesh Rajagopalan, will come together for a concert titled ‘Forever Friends’ Sunday. “There is a lifetime of memories, music and gratitude. We became friends in 1969, and from that moment on, he became a part of my life. A big part of my life has been shared with Zakir. In fact, I wouldn’t be who I am today without the friendship of Zakir and his wonderful talent. Words fail me,” said McLaughlin at a press conference at the NCPA.

Many of Hussain’s juniors, peers and seniors, including sarod exponent Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, senior Patiala gharana vocalist Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty, ace tabla players Yogesh Samsi and Anuradha Pal and flautist Rakesh Chaurasia among others will perform at the memorial that will be free of any showstopper or finale. The event will also witness numerous talks and presentations, including one by Hussain’s younger brother, Taufiq Qureshi, who will speak about the maestro as a composer and pioneer of fusion music in India. “Zakir bhai always said: ‘Don’t mourn. Celebrate’. We will celebrate him and his music.”

Other talks include Hussain’s influence on jazz, Carnatic music and his music drawing from different tabla gharanas.

Hussain’s US-based wife and Kathak guru Antonia Minnecola, who is in India with the couple’s daughters Isabella and Anisa and will make a presentation at the tribute, said the family felt deeply supported by the “love and condolences from around the world”. “Zakir left very suddenly, and none of us were prepared… As a musician, he could hold hands across the seas. As we move forward, we hope to carry his legacy sincerely.” One of Hussain’s dreams was to establish his own institute, which couldn’t happen, Antonia said. “We have thousands of hours of recordings of his teaching… Although he didn’t live to see its nonprofit status approved, we are committed to building it the way he envisioned and archiving his classes, workshops, and extensive concert footage.”

The tribute will also feature film screenings by documentary filmmaker Sumantra Ghoshal. His 2015 documentary The Speaking Hand, which takes one through the life and times of Hussain, besides one on his bus tour with musician friends titled ‘Cha Khaben, Ghoshal Dada?’, will also be screened. Ghoshal will also be in conversation with author Nasreen Munni Kabir.