The Journey

I grew up listening to anecdotes of Abbaji8217;s life; most of which still remain with me. Especially the story of his divine experience as a child: A light fell on him on the banksof a river and a voice simply told him to get up and go 8212; as if he was summoned to follow the path which led him to his destiny. In that split second, he knew that the quot;Tablaquot; was to become the centre of his Being. The restlessness that used to disturb him subsided. He felt calm. It is then that his journey began a journey that took him to Lahore at the age of 12.

The other incident that I remember is his meeting with Guru Mian Kader Bux, the Ustad of the Punjab Gharana. It is like the Ekalavya Story. When the Ustad heard the young Allahrakha at a Sangeet Sammelan in Lahore, he asked him who his guru was. The Ustad was astounded to hear that the young boy had always regarded him his Guru 8212; even though they had never met. This faith compelled the Ustad to take the young boy as his disciple, and then commenced a rigorous training that lasted for nearly eight years. Then via Delhi, at the age of 20, the young boy came to Bombay the city which gave him everything and to which he gave his all. The year was1939.

In Bombay, Abbaji did varied things in the field of music including giving music for Hindi films 8212; most of which celebrated silver jubilees. He also started his journey across the world, popularising theTabla as an instrument and enhancing the status of Tabla players a status further enhanced by his eldest son, Zakir Hussain. Awards like the Padmabhushan, Sangeet Natak Academy, Indo-American were showered on him. The journey continued8230;But I still cannot shake off the memories of him as a big, strong, ever-smiling man who brought me gifts. I remember a time when we used to live in Mahim, behind the dargah of Magdoom Shah Baba. It was a small, humble home. A house, where a tiny me8217; first grew aware of him8217;. The first thing I noticed was that his generosity touched us all. He gave some people blessings, others money, but most of all, he gave everyone love. Every time he loaded us into cars, to make the trip to the airport to see him off, a huge gathering of the entire Durgah Muhalla would see usoff. His return was a similar special event.

In 1970, we shifted to Simla House at Napean Sea Road. The house was bigger, cleaner, a different environment. A new set of friends and unlike Mahim, we stopped playing on the roads and went to a better school. And then, my life changed I started playing the Tabla, bringing me closer to Abbaji. His happiness knew no bounds when he saw all three sons Zakirbhai, me, and Taufiq taking to the Tabla.

The Taleem8217; was very unusual and so was the Guru. I cannot remember being scolded, or forced to play by Abbaji. We were allowed to do whatever we wanted to. Maybe this sense of freedom awoke in us sincerity and commitment. We used to sit with our Tablas around him, playing 8212; or trying to play 8212; whatever he played at the same time, at that very moment.

The world has many different names for him. Ustad Allahrakha, Ustadji, Abbaji, Masterji, but for me he will always remain a big, strong man with an ever-smiling face. A smile so infectious you want to break intosmile as well. Looking at him now, I think time has not changed him. The childlike quality, the generosity of spirit8230; Suddenly, he looks at his watch. It8217;s time to go. Time to teach the children who are eagerly waiting for him to take their class at Shivaji Park. The journey continues8230; Banyan Tree has organised a felicitation ceremony for Ustad Allahrakha Khan on January 9, 1999 at Shanmukhananda Hall, King8217;s Circle at 7.00 pm. It will include two recitals: Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma with Ustad Zakir Hussain followed by Trilok Gurtu with Ustad Zakir Hussain.