Karnataka - Mangalore   

When Zakir Hussain’s tabla spoke and sang

Lilting STRAINS: Ustads Zakir Hussain (left) and Sultan Khan performing in Mangalore on Sunday.

MANGALORE: With him, the instrument appears to defy the known definitions and limitations.

Tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain showed on Sunday that the instrument also can produce sounds of rain, thunder, train and conch.

The fine blend of tones in his 90-minute concert gave enough hints that his mastery of the tabla can do wonders.

Beginning his concert, organised by Sangeet Bharati Foundation, with a “happy birthday” rhythm, he first opted to set in a classical mood by playing the role of an accompanying artiste by leaving the field open for Sarangi player Ustad Sultan Khan.

The lower-octave rendition by Ustad Khan, and equally eloquent and slow-paced rendition by Ustad Hussain was meditative.

As dusk fell and the moon appeared brighter over the open make-shift auditorium on the University College grounds, Ustad Hussain took the centre-stage.

He then chatted with the audience and rendered a composition called “quaida” which included sounds such as the galloping of a horse and rain. As he played one of them, the audience reacted, “Wah Ustad.”

He then produced sounds of “dhamaru”, an instrument used by Lord Shiva; conch and those made by animals such as deer and lion.

The way he made the tabla get vocal with the line “Natavara naachata chapala chaar”, and the word “Ati vichitra,” evoked a thunderous applause from the crowd.

The ustad’s meends produced by gliding his left palm on the tabla got appreciation.

Ustad Khan presented his vocal skills with a lullby “Sojare”.

He and Ustad Zakir Hussain paired to sing “Har man bhajan...” that let people learn that the maestro can also sing well.

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