FANS of Indian classical music can look forward to Ustad Zakir Hussain and Rakesh Chaurasia’s tour here on December 3 at 8.30pm at the CTICC. This will be Hussain’s first concert in Cape Town. No extra concerts will be scheduled.
A classical tabla virtuoso, Hussain’s consistently brilliant and exciting performances have not only established him as a national treasure in his own country, India, but gained him worldwide fame.
Considered by some to be an architect of the contemporary world music movement, Zakir’s contribution to world music has been unique, with many historic collaborations, including Shakti, which he founded with John McLaughlin and L. Shankar, Remember Shakti, the Diga Rhythm Band, Making Music, Planet Drum with Mickey Hart, Tabla Beat Science, Sangam, with Charles Lloyd and Eric Harland, and recordings and performances with artists as diverse as George Harrison, YoYo Ma, Joe Henderson, Van Morrison, Airto Moreira, Pharoah Sanders, Billy Cobham, Mark Morris, Rennie Harris, and the Kodo drummers. He is the recipient of two Grammy Awards.
Chaurasia, the nephew and child prodigy of flute maestro Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, has a famous name to live up to. Amongst the promising musicians of the second generation, Rakesh has carved a niche for himself, as an accomplished flautist.
Incorporating the tradition of his renowned uncle and infusing his personal style, he has evolved a style which, while maintaining the purity of the flute, manages to capture the attention of the young listeners too. He is the most accomplished of disciples of his uncle, and shows promise to carry the Chaurasia legacy to new heights.
Despite his experimental work, Rakesh has never deviated from his goal of becoming a full-fledged classical musician. Recently he toured as a duo for classical concerts as well as for The Masters of Percussion with Hussain at venues globally. Rakesh performed with Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer Joshua Redman. - Staff Writer
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