Tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain has said that the media can do a yeoman service to the Indian art and culture if they highlight the bench strength of Indian music rather than concentrating on individuals.
“The tradition of our music is rich and is not restricted to a few individuals. Our music is enjoying incredible popularity at present. But, this will go away if the next generation is not recognised,” Zakir said.
He felt it is upto the media not to get caught with what’s written on the marquee but also see what is behind the marquee. “Then they will realise the bench strength of Indian music,” he said adding musicians should be helped to get visibility.
Zakir said among his contemporaries there are about 10 to 12 tabla players who were as good as him if not better. “Some of them are even better. But, I am in the public eye,” he said.
Zakir said when Pandit Ravi Shankar was younger and became popular, people did not realise that there are other sitarists too who are good.
Zakir said he played and practised for 25 years before being accepted as a top tabla player. “Classical music is not a one-hit wonder. You have to prove yourself for 15 to 20 years to emerge as a genius.”
The young generation of tabla players are good and they have the makings but it is too early to say whether they will evolve into the geniuses of yesteryears. They have to prove themselves over a period of time.
Speaking about himself, Zakir said his father did not force him to play tabla and continue his tradition being the eldest son.
“He did not force me until the time I approached him and said I was ready. He waited for the spark to come from me to light the fire,” he also lamented that the media had failed to highlight the fact that mridangam vidwan Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman was the only musician to be conferred the second highest civilian award Padmavibhushan or Ustad Sultan Khan with Padmabhushan.
The media highlights only that what they want to mention.
If they see behind the marquee, they would do Indian art and culture a great service, he added.
