MUMBAI: Once again music luminaries from across globe will come together to pay homage to legendary guru and tabla maestro Ustad Allarakha, fondly known as Abbaji on his 13th Barsi. The event is scheduled to be held on 3 February at Shanmukhanand Hall in Mumbai.
The event will take off at 6.30 am with tabla gurus and their disciples presenting the ‘Taal Pranam’, followed by a spiritual tribute by U Shrinivas and Zakir Hussain. The afternoon session will start from 11.30 am with ‘Taal Tapasya’, dedicated to the late great Mridangam Vidwan Shri Palghat Mani Iyer, this being his centenary year. His son and disciple Shri Palghat Rajamani Iyer and Shri Kamlakar Rao another senior disciple, both Mridangam Vidwans will perform together. Later there will be a tabla solo by Fazal Qureshi and a Doira solo performance by Abbos Kosimov from Uzbekistan.
‘Homage to Abbaji is one of the highlights of the classical music calendar for the last 12 years and is also one of the most popular percussion music events in the world.’
Grammy nominated trio: Bela Fleck (Banjo Genius), Edgar Myer (Double Bass maestro) and Zakir Hussain will grace the evening. The grand finale will be the jam session led by Zakir Hussain, featuring several international and national artists.
“Through these 13 years, we have had the good fortune of some of the greatest luminaries of Indian music representing many musical and rhythmic traditions from all across the globe, blessing the occasion. And 3rd February 2013 will be no exception,” said Hussain.
The event is co-presented by Taj Mahal Tea, Reliance Foundation, Aditya Birla Management Corporation Ltd.