Mithun Manhas: Street-Smart cricketer, who was always at the right place at right time
Only a great person like him could be so encouraging to an ordinary musician, says drummer Ramesh Venkat.
Seeing a certain tousle-headed gentleman standing in the queue, I was both astonished and elated. My happiness radiated on my face and words suddenly deserted me.
Looking around at the sea of faces before him, Ustad Zakir Hussain asked, 'What's wrong? Why is everyone so silent? Talk to me. You're here to meet me, aren't you?' In that instant, I realised that I wasn't alone in my awe-inspired silence.
'We played at Zakir's request. It was an amazing experience for me playing with a famous tabla player's son.'
Like his countless admirers, Durga Dominic was heartbroken when the incomparable Ustad Zakir Hussain left us to play wonderful concerts in the heavens.
Ustad Zakir Hussain's story will be told in a thousand ways by each person who met him, loved him, spent time with him, got to know him and shared some precious time off stage with him, says Maanveer Singh.
'When he played his inner light shone so bright! His joy embraced us all... we experienced divinity.'
'Zakir bhai always said, 'koi chala nahi jata hai', he believed even after death, you left something of yourself behind and he has left so much of himself behind.'
The eulogies will pour for Ustad Zakir Hussain. There will be those who recount his genius, his enterprise, his achievements, his grace, and his charm. I have no selfies or autographs to remember him by, but I will never forget his most generous and gracious gift to me -- one day in heaven, among the celestial ensemble of Indian music.
Just in case anybody's forgotten how gorgeous Sonakshi Sinha can look, the actor sends a timely reminder.
Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is nominated for a Grammy Award in the Traditional World Music category for his album Ancient Sounds. He talks about what the award means to him.
Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan walked the ramp with sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash for designer Zubair Kirmani on Day One of the Kolkata Fashion Week. Here's what he had to say regarding the experience.
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan may lost out on a Grammy win at the 52nd Grammy awards but the maestro is very happy for A R Rahman, who won two Grammies this year.
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