Ustad Zakir Hussain and Ustad Sultan Khan

My list of musical experiences keeps getting better. Tuesday evening was at the NCPA, Mumbai watching a performance by Ustad Zakir Hussain and Ustad Sultan Khan, both of whom need no introduction in the world of hindustani classical music. The occasion was Naad, an event organised by the I Hear Foundation (www.ihearfoundation.org), an NGO that works with children who are aurally challenged and their families. Nandita and I managed to get passes and we went together with a friend of ours.

To say the concert was electrifying would be an injustice. This was the first time in several years that I was watching Ustad Hussain perform and the view was very up close and personal. Without attempting to make it too technical, he explained the evolution and progression of certain tunes and notes and proceeded to weave these into the evening’s composition.

Ustad Khan, accompanied by his son, played the Sarangi to perfection. I sat spell bound in time listening to the haunting melodies that were punctuated by Ustad Hussain’s tabla. This was the first time I have listened to him and I came away at peace.

Shhhhh. . . Sat Chit Ananda . . . Nothing more to say.

S