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Journalism of Courage
Smooth Bombay city slicker would be an apt description for tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, who was in the city last week to shoot for the latest Taj Mahal Tea advertisment. Totally at ease on the set, a grandly done up magician8217;s house, he tomfools with everyone, working hard to put people at ease. Break for lunch, and he8217;s as expansive on camera with a TV channel telling them all about his 32-city tour that kicks off from Israel in a couple of days. You hunt and hunt for a hint of the grandmaster who hold audiences in complete thrall, but all you see is a fun guy, with an easy smile and a head full of tricks.
quot;Celebrity status is a nice thing to have,quot; he says, over a solemn lunch. quot;But it only goes so far. I love all the attention people give me, it8217;s fine, but then, I must say that it8217;s more on account of my tabla than me,quot; he says.
Off to collect the National Endowment of The Arts Heritage Award from President Bill Clinton next week, the highest honour given to a civilian in America, there isn8217;t a signof arrogance in the man.
And wherever he goes in the world, he has to come home to Bombay8217; to connect. quot;It8217;s like coming full circle. I8217;ve done the buses, trains, dust and heat, all of which have made me what I am. I have to come here to spend time with my father, to feel at home. There are actually times when I come here in between two engagements which are in countries close by and have a quick dinner and leave. And I make it a point to spend at least four-five months here in the later part of the year.quot;
