The last time the nation heard the late Zakir Hussain's music on the big screen was in filmmaker Nandita Das's 2018 drama ‘Manto’—the biopic of renowned author Saadat Hasan Manto. Hussain had composed the background score for the Nawazuddin Siddiqui-starrer. On the maestro's passing away, Das looks back at her collaboration with him and tells mid-day that it was awe-inspiring to watch him create compositions for the film. “To have the opportunity to observe an artist’s mind is always fascinating. Playing an instrument is very different from composing music. It was a delight to watch him create a melody, a rhythm, a composition in his mind and then translate it into reality. As a percussionist, it was awe-inspiring to see his equal understanding of other instruments like string and wind instruments. After all, he has worked with all the great masters such as Pt. Ravi Shankar, Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan,” she says. Nandita Das, filmmaker What struck Das the most about Hussain's craft was his ability to honour his roots while moving ahead with times. “This ability in him was what made me think of him as the first choice for ‘Manto’, a film set in the '40s, to be watched by people of today. How to be true to the times and yet connect to contemporary audiences... he was rooted in classical music but had the courage and curiosity to collaborate with many great global musicians,” she says. His genius aside, there are a few things about Hussain that the filmmaker says she will always remember. “His laughter and humour are what will stay with me forever. A huge loss to the world of music and to all those whose lives he touched. I am fortunate that I got to spend time with him through such a creative process.” 1998Year Hussain was seen in the film ‘Saaz’ More than 50 glorious years A still from the movie ‘Saaz’ In his over five-decade-long career, tabla maestro Zakir Hussain composed scores and soundtracks for several Indian films and even acted in a few. In the 1991 Tamil film ‘Thanthu Vitten Ennai’, Hussain featured in a cameo. He was seen in a more prominent role in Sai Paranjpye’s 1998 drama film ‘Saaz’, co-starring Shabana Azmi and Aruna Irani. Hussain also contributed to the score and composed two tracks for the film. For Rahul Bose’s 2000 directorial ‘Everybody Says I am Fine!’, Hussain composed the album, while two years later, he created the soundtrack of ‘Mr and Mrs Iyer’ which featured the actor. Hussain was last seen in Dev Patel-led Monkey Man, earlier this year.
17 December,2024 08:51 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaVilas Godbole, former Mumbai first-class cricketer, revealed to mid-day on Monday that he knew the tabla maestro, the late Zakir Hussain, since he was a little boy who had wanted to pursue the game of cricket. “Zakir lived in Mahim then. He was a wicketkeeper and was keen to take up cricket seriously, but his legendary father Alla Rakha dissuaded him from doing so as he feared Zakir would injure his hands,” said 82-year-old Godbole, who played for Bombay against the visiting Ceylon team in 1964-65 for his sole first-class cricket appearance. He was also a Bombay University player. Apart from cricket playing, administration and coaching, Godbole was and still is immersed in music. Hussain, according to Godbole, stayed in touch with cricket action wherever he was on the globe. The music great played the tabla for an hour at the Ravindra Natya Mandir, Prabhadevi, before the release of Godbole’s book, My Innings in Mumbai Cricket in 2010. “When I published my next book [on coaching] in July, I visited him to present him a copy. He was so delighted to see that I had written another book. His modesty stood out and he was a person who radiated goodness. It’s a big loss, but I cherish each interaction we had,” signed off Godbole.
17 December,2024 08:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Clayton MurzelloI came to know that he wasn't feeling well at one concert, but I didn't know when it became a critical situation. Before the tour, he looked fine. I don't know what happened as far as his health is concerned. The last time I met him was in India, before he went to the US. Three weeks ago, I was in Italy. He was supposed to be in the same town in Rome. When that got cancelled, I got worried. I used to [watch him] and wonder if I would ever get the chance to play with him. Once, in Scotland, he called me and said [we should] play together. I couldn’t believe it. Subsequently, we started playing together, and when we were on tour, each day spent with him on stage was a learning process. When I'd ask him questions, the information he had transcended the knowledge of the tabla alone. He was a mentor for every musician of my age. When we'd head out to walk and indulge in conversation, I could see he had a great way of thinking. He wanted to bring all the young talent on stage. He had a big audience, and they also wanted the upcoming Indian artistes to be given a platform. He was an amazing human being and musician. The tabla starts from ‘A’, that is Alla Rakha [Hussain's father], and ends with ‘Z’ Zakir Hussain. At times, while playing with him, I’d say, ‘This is too difficult’. He'd respond saying, ‘I will not consider you a child. I will not come to your standard; you need to come to my standard. I have my audience [to play for]. He’d make you realise that if he has called you, he has seen a fire in you, and you had to work to excel. He was an amazing person who made jokes and kept people happy. At times, I’d [cringe] at the joke I’d say to him, but he’d enjoy it. He never wanted them to be filtered. We’d walk and swim together. If I wanted to do something, he’d accompany me. Perhaps, he did this to make us comfortable because he knew that if we were comfortable off-stage, we wouldn’t be comfortable on it. While touring for two months, each day we’d be meeting and interacting with each other. If there was a distance between the artistes, that wouldn’t work. He encouraged us to be friends. I recall, he’d check out sunglasses and say, ‘We should wear this’. I wanted to have an album with him and be with him on a CD jacket. Then, one day, he took my recording and asked, ‘It’s good; can I release it from my company?’ It’s called Zara. ‘Za’ for Zakir and ‘Ra’ for Rakesh. This year, I also got a Grammy Award with him. He would be thinking about how we could incorporate our Indian music with the western world and take our music all over the globe. This was his intention. It was never about ‘me’ and ‘you’. He had merged all the gharanas together and created his own [sonic identity]. On stage, he would listen to the artiste accompanying him and understand what he was attempting to do. A performance with him was different. He would interact with the artiste’s music, and make it a treat for the viewer. At times, he wouldn’t rehearse. He’d come from Paris, and [his co-artiste] from Patna, and they'd meet and directly perform on stage.
17 December,2024 08:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Sonia LullaSome of my concerts with Zakir Bhai happened 1974 onwards, when his father (Ustad Alla Rakha) was alive. He is definitely one of the most gifted tabla players the world has ever seen. What he has done for the table and for India classical music globally is truly phenomenal. We have had many extraordinary concerts together… Ustad Zakir Hussain today has become a renowned figure. He is indeed one of the most loved musicians among audiences. I have known him from the time I was busy performing with Samta Prasad and Kishan Maharaj in the sixties but he always attended my concerts, especially in Mumbai. The most noticeable aspect of Zakir Bhai’s character has been that he is very helpful to his fellow musicians and friends. His respect toward senior musicians is extraordinary; he is ready to help at any given time and whenever required, to the extent of helping carry instruments if needed. I remember one incident that took place in Chennai in the late seventies. Our flight had landed and suddenly, all the passengers were asked to vacate the aircraft as there had been a short circuit. We got off and as we walked to the arrival terminal, I remembered that I had left my sarod in the overhead compartment. In those days, I would carry my sarod in hand baggage. Zakir Bhai, within a second, ran back into the plane and got my sarod in spite of the short circuit. I was so taken aback with his love and concert and couldn’t thank him enough. In our field the journey of every musician is never-ending. Playing good sarod and tabla is not enough; one has to be a complete musician, full of humility and grace. He has been a true example of this. Extract courtesy: My Father, Our Fraternity: The story of Haafiz Ali Khan and my world by Amjad Ali Khan; Published by ROLI 1974Year the musicians began playing together
17 December,2024 08:49 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayWe performed seven concerts in the USA. Our last concert was in Urbana, Indiana, on October 30 this year. The following day, we were to perform in Columbus, Ohio. So, we drove all night, covering a five-hour journey, and reached Columbus at 5 am. We were set to perform that evening, but at around 11.30 am, I was informed that he was being checked into a hospital because he wasn’t feeling too well. He had bouts of coughing while we were on the tour. I was telling him that he needed to address it. He said he would when he had some time and that he needed to get an X-ray done. We tried to see him when he was admitted but couldn’t go. But he was taken right in front of us. Our remaining two concerts were cancelled, and I flew back to India to be in touch with the family. His tests were fine, and he was discharged. Then, they flew to San Francisco, where he was being treated. This was about 25 days ago. As we speak, I am in Gwalior because I was performing here. When I heard the news, I was [taken aback]. The news was not confirmed by the family, and we were trying to get in touch with them. He was still alive. He passed away this [yesterday] morning in IST. He was a true legend, a superstar in the truest sense. Yet he was humble, learned, knowledgeable, and a great conversationalist. He wasn’t only aware of music but knew about all worldly matters. Off stage, we never had any communication on music. We’d discuss food and travel. He leaves behind a legacy, not just in Indian classical music but in the music scene itself. There will never be another Zakir Hussain. He was an artiste who would constantly innovate and move ahead with the times. When our tour began, I asked him how he was touring nonstop. He said he had been busy after COVID and that he had only been on the road. The human body can’t take this kind of travel. And as artists and musicians, we travel a lot. So, it’s not easy on the body. While travelling, he did seem exhausted, but that was not unnatural because his schedule was like that of a 30-year-old. But, while playing, one couldn’t tell (the difference). He’d hit the crescendos and go super fast. His first concert was with my dad (Pandit Shivkumar Sharma), and the last one was with me. It seems he had a connection (with my family). Since he was a teenager, he began performing with my late father. At times, my parents would even fetch him from his college because he was so young! He would arrive at my home unannounced because he’d say, ‘Why do I need to announce that I am coming to my own home.’ That was the kind of relationship we had. I’ve seen him as a happy-go-lucky person. He would want [us] to even celebrate the fact that he’s not here. He was just that kind of person. He had that energy and vibe. We have done so many tours in the US and India. He was always fully attentive as an artist on stage. When a tabla player performs, he accompanies other musicians. The attentiveness with which he would hear the other artists playing so that he could complement that was remarkable. At times, people would simply go through the grind because they’d done it so often. But he was true to his art and didn’t care really about what the audience thought. He would enjoy his music, and his personality was such that the audience just loved it. So, yeah, the transition has been great, but he treated everybody with respect, so whether it was a famous person or not a famous person who would invite him, you know, he had the deepest humility, and that’s something to learn from him, even when you achieve such great success. On stage, he was immediately likeable. He was the kind of artist who had it all, not just as far as his personality was concerned but also when it came to his talent and innovations. He dabbled in all genres of music, whether it was Indian classical or fusion, via (his band), Shakti. Such people are born once in a century. He acknowledged the fact that tabla players probably did not get their due earlier on, about 50 years ago. And he single-handedly created a space so big that even solo tabla concerts happen today. My fondest memory of him traces back to 1994. I had only begun performing on stage, and we were doing an intricate taal. After the concert, he slipped a $100 bill in my pocket. He said, ‘What you did was very good. I know you’re going on a USA tour. Spend it there.’ That was pretty special to me.
17 December,2024 08:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Sonia LullaMy association with Ustad Zakir Hussain ji began in 1998 when I first crafted a tabla set for him at my Mahim workshop. Every year around August, I would keep an eye out for the announcement of his show dates to predict what kind of tabla sets I would be entrusted with making that season. I last met Ustad-ji in August this year at Shimla House—his Nepean Sea Road residence —where he asked me to work on five new tablas that would accompany him on stage starting November.” Vhatkar continued, “Losing him feels like a part of me has died with him. Ustad-ji loved to share bits of wisdom between discussions about tabla. “Treat anyone who walks through your door like they’re Zakir Hussain,” he would say. Many years ago, he silently gifted me his Toyota Corolla that he held dear without any fanfare. Through these gestures and essons in humility, he will continue to live among us. Vhatkar was termed the ‘Steinway of the tabla’ by his most celebrated client. On Monday, as the world mourned the death of the legendary musician whose fame crossed the boundaries of geography and whose music blurred the lines between Hindustani, western and jazz, Vhatkar remembered the man who made it all possible for him. And also perhaps how his tablas made it possible for the world-renowned percussionist. “I first began making tablas for his father Alla Rakha and have been making tablas for Zakir Hussain-saab since 1998,” an emotional Vhatkar, 59, said.Sitting in his workshop at Kanjurmarg, the tablas lined up on shelves behind him, Vhatkar said the two first met on Guru Poornima where a lot of his admirers had gathered. “The next day, I went to his house in Shimla House and we were engrossed in conversation for a couple of hours,” Vhatkar said. And a lifelong relationship was born… even if they were not regularly in touch. “He was very particular about what sort of tabla he wanted and when. He paid a lot of attention to the tuning’ aspect of the musical instrument,” said Vhatkar, a third-generation tabla maker, from Miraj in western Maharashtra. Hussain, who passed away in a San Francisco hospital at the age of 73, has also spoken in detail about Vhatkar. “He used to live in Miraj, near Kolhapur, and as a young man, he came to Bombay because he heard me play. He decided to learn how to make the tabla, so he could make them for me,” he has said in ‘Zakir Hussain: A Life in Music - A Conversation with Nasreen Munni Kabir’. The late Ustad detailed the painstaking effort that goes into each instrument. “Sometimes the parts are made in machines and then assembled together by someone who has the ear and knowledge, while Haridas-ji does everything from scratch—he gets the buffalo hide straps, polishes and cleans the goat skin to get the rough edges out, etc. It’s all done by hand. The whole process can take weeks!” “You can of course buy a standard tabla, which will not have even 10 per cent of the quality of Haridas-ji’s work. He has become the Steinway of the tabla!” he famously said. Hussain said he had put the artisan, who also went to the US, on a stipend. “So, if I’m gone for eight months, he does not have to worry… he will still have some money coming in.” So how many tablas did Vhatkar make for the legendary percussionist over the last two decades? “Innumerable” was Vhatkar’s reply. He also said he has many tablas left behind for him by Hussain. With inputs from agencies 1994Year Haridas Vhatkar moved to Mumbai
17 December,2024 08:47 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleAn old video of actress Raveena Tandon playfully bantering with the paparazzi and quipping, "Bhut saste mai chor diya meko," has recently resurfaced online. In a throwback interview, the ‘Mohra’ actress, while addressing the media, shared her thoughts on what drives her as an actor. In a clip currently making rounds on social media, Raveena can be heard saying to the media persons, “Bhaiya, please hold this for him. Thank you, Sir. No, let everyone roll first. Everyone is standing still; no one is rolling. Sir, are you ready? Okay, everyone is rolling.” When asked about her roles, she revealed, “You’ve asked me 50 times about my role in different films, and every time I say the same thing—I can’t reveal the role. But one thing I can share is that nowadays, I’ve started taking on roles that challenge me as an actor. I look for roles that genuinely excites me.” Despite her professional insight, she maintained her trademark humour, joking, “By the way, you could have asked me to say Happy Diwali, Happy New Year, or Merry Christmas… Nahi, are saste mein chhod diya tumne mujhe!” On the work front, the National Award-winning actress rose to prominence as the leading lady in blockbuster action films such as “Dilwale”, “Mohra,” “Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi”, and “Ziddi.” She teamed up with Govinda for several hit comedies, including, “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan,” “Dulhe Raja,” and “Anari No.1.” Venturing beyond her comedic roles, Tandon delivered impactful performances in the crime dramas “Ghulam-E-Mustafa” and “Shool.” After a hiatus, Raveena made a comeback in 2017 with the thriller “Maatr,” earning acclaim for her performance. She further impressed audiences with her lead role in the Netflix crime thriller series “Aranyak.” In 2022, she appeared in her highest-grossing film to date, Yash starrer “K.G.F: Chapter 2.” This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
17 December,2024 08:06 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSRemo Fernandes, Musician‘Ustad Zakir Hussain first visited me in Siolim in Goa in the 1990s when I was at the peak of my pop career. He had simply dropped by because he had listened to some of my music and wanted to see me. Months later, I found myself on stage with him at an awards ceremony in Mumbai. A Goan obsessed with pop, and an Indian classical tabla maestro, together on stage—nobody knew what to expect, including me! To add to the newness of this unusual jugalbandi, we had no time to rehearse before the show. But when we took the stage, it felt like I was performing with an old bandmate. I started off with a Brazilian tune and he somehow picked up from there. That surprise jugalbandi is possibly the longest I ever communicated with the Ustad.’ ‘He had brilliant wit’ Zakir Hussain with Dhruv Ghanekar (right) in a still from the film, Saaz. Pic Courtesy/YouTube Dhruv Ghanekar, Composer and musician‘I acted with Zakir Bhai in Saaz (1996) when I was just starting to compose music. Sai Paranjpye, the director, wanted real musicians in the film and, being a family friend, asked me. We did it purely to be around him. The thing about Zakir bhai is that he was a great storyteller, and had a brilliant wit and humour. My wife [Ishita Arun] and I had travelled to see the North Sea Jazz Festival. While hanging with him backstage, Ishita mentioned how she wanted to meet Herbie Hancock, the jazz legend. The next morning, as we came down from Zakir Bhai’s room, Herbie was already leaving the hotel for his sound check. Imagine Zakir Hussain, a Grammy-awardee running up the corridor to stop Herbie Hancock just for us. Herbie casually asked, “Who is it?”. He could have given a long-winded introduction, but Zakir Bhai simply said “Oh, she is my niece, Ishita.” Now, that is simplicity, love and charm rolled into one. That was him.’ ‘He would elevate the stage’ Zakir Hussain with Karsh Kale Karsh Kale, Composer and musician‘Growing up in New York City, I was somewhat removed from the buzz in India. My introduction to his music came through my father, a fan of Hindustani classical music. At six years old, I accompanied my father to his concert at Columbia University, where he performed alongside Ustad Alla Rakha Khan and Ustad Sultan Khan. I was entranced. He was an incredible musician. When we collaborated on Tabla Beat Science, I remember being in awe. I would bow and greet him every time. A day before our first performance, Zakir Bhai pulled me aside and said, “All this courtesy is good. But on stage, I need you to look me in the eye and respond to me as an equal.” Zakir Bhai had the power to elevate the entire stage. He has left a lasting impression on the next generation of musicians.’ ‘Be yourself’ Darshan Doshi with Hussain in Singapore Darshan Doshi, Drummer and Ustad’s mentee‘When one met Ustad-ji, the tabla player always came second; you’d first meet a man whose kindness and enthusiasm instantly filled the room with positivity. When I first joined him on stage in 2017, I remember stressing out right before the performance. Ustad-ji noticed this and walked up to me and said, “Be yourself and don’t think about how others will perceive you. I know you’re a great musician. Play for yourself.” These words will continue to guide me.’ ‘End of an era’ Dr Jamshed Bhabha, Dr Narayan Menon, Alla Rakha, Pandit Ravi Shankar and a young Zakir Hussain at the NCPA Khusroo Suntook, chairman NCPA, and Dr Suvarnalata Rao, Head, Indian music, NCPA‘Zakir-ji’s bond with us goes back to the day it was founded in 1969 when he accompanied his father, the great Ustad Alla Rakha, on our stage. It blossomed into a deeply appreciated association when he became an honoured member of our Council. The concerts, his mentorship, his warm presence and the sound of his tabla will forever remain a treasure of the NCPA. Beyond his unparalleled skills, Zakir-ji’s charisma and kindness left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of working with him. He was a brilliant team player.’
17 December,2024 07:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram Iyengar | Devashish KambleThe good fight Varun Dhawan is set to deliver high-octane action in Baby John, directed by Kalees. While comparisons with the Tamil hit Theri persist, Dhawan clarified that the film is an adaptation of the 2016 offering and not a “book-by-book remake.” Speaking at a press event, he shared that Baby John reimagines the original, altering the geography and storyline. The film explores the themes of modern parenting and women’s safety and incorporates a case inspired by real-life events. New entry The upcoming fourth season of the office drama Cubicles will feature a new entrant, Zayn Marie Khan, who plays Dhwani Mehra, an IT professional in her late 20s. “It feels like stepping into a family. The characters are real, and the storyline captures the true essence of today’s workplace. I’m thrilled to bring something new to this journey. Each episode explores not just the challenges we face in our careers but also the relationships we develop at work,” she says. Two power-houses Janhvi Kapoor is reportedly in discussions with acclaimed filmmaker Anvita Dutt, known for her beloved films, Bulbbul (2020) and Qala (2022). While details of the collaboration remain under wraps, the pairing has sparked curiosity among cinephiles. After all, Dutt has a penchant for crafting haunting female-led narratives, and Kapoor has continued to showcase her interest in exploring diverse roles. Could this be another atmospheric tale steeped in folklore and emotion, or is Dutt venturing into uncharted territory? With both talents known for taking creative risks, this potential partnership is one to watch closely.
17 December,2024 07:10 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamNana Patekar, known for his candid revelations, has recently shared why he had no interest in watching the movie 'Animal'. In a recent conversation with Anil Kapoor for his upcoming movie 'Vanvaas', Nana shared his views on the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer. The actor revealed that after watching the film, he called Anil and jokingly told him, "Teri film Anil-mal dekhi." While initially reluctant to watch the movie, Nana admitted that once he did, he felt Kapoor's performance stood out as the most restrained in the action-packed drama. Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, 'Animal' starred Ranbir Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Rashmika Mandanna, and Triptii Dimri. The film centers on Ranvijay (Ranbir), the ruthless son of a powerful industrialist (Anil Kapoor), whose strained relationship with his father spirals further into chaos after an assassination attempt on his father sets him on a path of vengeance and destruction. 'Animal' is one of the longest Indian films ever made in Bollywood, and it did extremely well commercially, both domestically and internationally. In the same interview, Nana also recalled when Kapoor had him replaced by Jackie Shroff in the film 'Parinda'. Nana revealed that he was originally cast to play Anil Kapoor's character's brother in the film, but the role eventually went to Jackie Shroff. The 'Welcome' actor confessed that he felt some resentment towards Anil, believing he had encouraged the change. However, Anil defended himself, explaining that the final decision rested with the director. Meanwhile, on the work front, Nana will next be seen in the upcoming film 'Vanvaas', which also stars Utkarsh Sharma. The family drama, which explores the bond between a father and son, is directed and produced by 'Gadar' fame Anil Sharma. The actor shared the poster of the film on his X account and captioned, "#Vanvaas ki puri journey mere liye bahot hi yaadgaar rahi. Yeh aaj tak ki meri best filmon mein se ek hai." In the poster, the veteran actor is depicted sitting in a suit on a ghat. 'Vanvaas' will be released in theatres on December 20. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
17 December,2024 07:08 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSIt's been a while since actor Shahana Goswami has been entertaining an idea. “I want to direct,” she says at one point in this conversation, recalling the time she wrote a short film that she was set to helm. “I was living in France and wrote a short film in French, which I was going to direct. But, when I was supposed to start looking for funds, I had to return to India for work. Then, I never found the opportunity to make that film there,” Goswami recalls, adding that she is eager to give wings to her directorial dreams after being made aware of her talent by the directors she has worked with. “The directors I have worked with in the last eight years have told me I should direct, even though they never knew I wanted to. It is my calling. I would be a better director than an actor. It was always part of the plan. I had the dream of inhabiting characters, and also creating a canvas. I have a [good] visual sense and love taking photographs. I enjoy the audiovisual space,” says Goswami, who features in the Friday release, Despatch, directed by Kanu Behl. As her if she has a script in mind, and she responds in the negative. However, she is aware that narratives like Despatch, which explores the “shifting dynamics” between individuals, appeal to her. “If I direct anything, this theme will be at its core.” Pointing to the manner in which Behl crafted his characters in the film, she says she liked that they weren’t depicted as a “a rosy couple, right at the beginning”. “You [directly] see them in an unstable [relationship]. It tells you so much about the equation. I like things that are not expressed through words.”
17 December,2024 06:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaADVERTISEMENT
