When Fazal Qureshi, renowned the world over as the Master of Tabla, performs in Auckland early next month, he would not only bring to the fore his expertise and proficiency but also that of his illustrious family.
His father, the late Ustad Allarakha Khan Qureshi and his elder brother Zakir Hussain are respected as among the finest players of the challenging percussion in contemporary history of Music.
Fazal will present a concert at the Avondale College Auditorium on October 2 along with Dr Suresh Ramachandran respectively on the Tabla and Mridhangam and Professor S D Madhur (Hindustani) and Dr Ashok Malur (Carnatic) on the violin.
Auckland based Sargam School of Music Principal and Teacher Basant Madhur is organising the visit for the benefit of thousands of fans of the maestro.
New Dimensions
Born in Mumbai in a family that has etched its name in music with accolades, awards and citations conferred by Governments and Non-Government Organisations around the globe, Fazal has given new dimensions to the Tabla.
It is no exaggeration that the high caliber of his late father set the pace for his progress as a Tabla artiste and his trailblazing brother has always been a source of inspiration in his illustrious career.
A sound knowledge in various forms of music and innovative spirit have enabled Fazal to establish a name for himself in the world of music and his performances alongside some of the finest musicians have appealed to critics and fans alike over the years.
Apart from his father and brother, he has accompanied on stage such well-known artistes as Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma (Santoor), Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia (Flute), Ustad Amjad Ali Khan (Sarod), Ustad Sultan Khan (Sarangi), Dr Lakshminarayan Subramaniam and Lakshminarayan Shankar (Violin), Vikku Vinayagaram (Ghatam), Uppalapu Srinivas (Mandolin), Ustad Shahid Parvez (Sitar) and Sitara Devi (Kathak Dancer).
“Tabla is the most versatile and complete percussion instrument in the world. Besides playing rhythms, it can play musical notes, which makes it a musical instrument, rather than a percussion instrument,” he told Indian Newslink during an interview.
Versatile artiste
Fazal himself has demonstrated the versatility of the Tabla, combining it with various genres of music including Indian Classical Vocal, Folk, Jazz, Pop and Rock.
Giving vent to the adage that music bespeaks a language that is universally understood, he has enthralled audiences of varied nationalities and vicissitudes in his career.
Paying tributes to Basant, he said, “This young Tabla player and teacher is well known in New Zealand for his prowess. He has a certain passion for Indian classical music that is heartwarming. He is responsible for my forthcoming visit, concert and the workshops that I have planned,” he said.
Photo: Fazal Qureshi
