“Unparalleled contribution to the world of music” —SF Jazz
Zakir Hussain is a world-renowned tabla virtuoso, widely considered to be the preeminent classical player of his generation. Born to legendary percussionist Ustad Allarakha, Zakir began his professional career at the age of 12 and quickly gained recognition as a child prodigy, accompanying India's greatest classical musicians and dancers.
Hussain’s brilliant accompaniment, solo performances, and collaborations have elevated the status of his instrument and brought it into the global spotlight. He is a composer, having scored music for films, events, and productions, and has composed three concertos, including the first-ever concerto for tabla and orchestra. Zakir has received countless awards and honors, including a Grammy, the Padma Vibhushan, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. As an educator, he conducts workshops and lectures worldwide and is the founder and president of Moment Records, an independent record label. Zakir's contribution to music has been recognized with numerous lifetime achievement awards, including the 2022 Kyoto Prize laureate in Arts and Philosophy.
For this show, Hussain is proud to present TISRA (three) with two of India’s finest young musicians: Sabir Khan and Debopriya Chatterjee. This unique trio is comprised of tabla, sarangi, and bansuri (bamboo flute), a combination not often heard on the classical stage. TISRA showcases the rich folk and classical traditions of the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Punjab. This colorful mix combined with Indian classical music and the rich rhythm repertoire of Punjab makes for a compelling evening of music!