Allarakha (April 29, 1919 - February 3, 2000)

Once in a great while, there emerges a musician who, through his genius, injects that certain spark necessary to elevate an instrument to another level of expression and appreciation. For tabla, Ustad Allarakha was such an artist, having brought his instrument a stature and respect never before enjoyed. A disciple of Mian Kader Baksh, the great guru of the Punjab gharana, Ustad Allarakha was, in his lifetime, the most celebrated exponent of this style. In his 23 years of touring worldwide with Ravi Shankar his name became synonymous with the essence of percussion. Ravi said about his friend, He was a genius—and a simple. loving man. As a performer, Ustad Allarakha was famous for his improvisations, his exceptional qualities of freshness and proportion, and his exquisite tone production as well as a technique which he continued to refine until his death. He developed a playing style which is a virtual reference for tabla players of the present generation. A maxim of his teaching was, If love is not in your heart it won't be in your hands or voice. For the last four years of his life, he concentrated on teaching and traveled often in India to accept awards and appear at major classical festivals. When on his eightieth birthday he was asked to say a few words, he played the tabla, saying, This is the only language I know. His rapturous tabla solo performances still in demand, he continued to perform until the end of his life. Ustad Allarakha died on February 3, 2000, truly one of the most pivotal and influential artists to have emerged from India in our time.

L. Shankar has brought to this world some of the most mesmerizing, exuberant and technically perfect improvisational music to be heard on today’s concert stage. A consummate musician, whether playing on the double violin—which he invented—or singing in his incredible five octave range, Shankar brings a unique beauty and power to his music. As a child prodigy whose father was the esteemed V. Lakshminarayana Iyer, he began his musical studies when he was five and gave his first concert at seven. Deeply rooted in the classical music of India, he has worked with many Western musicians including Peter Gabriel, Frank Zappa and Bruce Springsteen and along with Zakir Hussain and John McLaughlin, founded the legendary fusion group, Shakti. He has been at the forefront in expanding the horizons of Indian music worldwide and as singer, violinist, and composer he has sold more than ten million albums worldwide.

Zakir Hussain, the eldest son of Allarakha, is recognized as one of the most brilliant and innovative musicians living today in percussion and in the music world at large. He is favorite accompanist for India’s greatest classical musicians and dancers including Ali Akbar Khan and Ravi Shankar. His contributions to world music have been unique, with many historic collaborations including Shakti, which he founded with John McLaughlin and L. Shankar. He has recorded and performed with such diverse artists as George Harrison, Tito Puente and the Hong Kong Symphony. A child prodigy who toured by the age of twelve, this gifted son of his great father came to the United States in 1970. He plays no fewer than 150 concert dates a year and has composed and recorded many albums and soundtracks. The recipient of many grants and awards, in 1988 Zakir became the youngest percussionist to ever be awarded the title of Padma Sri. In 1999 he received the National Heritage Fellowship, the highest honor in the United States for a master of traditional arts.

T.H. "Vikku" Vinayakram is part of a new generation devoted to expanding ancient Indian traditions. His early training came from his father, himself a master musician. Vikku’s instrument of choice is the ghatam. the clay pot made for use as a percussion instrument. Vikku has accompanied the foremost classical musicians and has also played under the baton of Zubin Mehta, has shared the stage with John McLaughlin, Zakir and Shankar in Shakti performances, and was co-composer in Mickey Hart’s Planet Drum which won a Grammy for Best World Music Album. To Vikku goes the credit of taking the ghatam to center stage in international concert halls. Vikku divides his time touring and teaching at his school in Chennai (Madras).

Niladri Kumar is the fifth generation of sitar players and is a student of his renowned father, Kartik Kumar. He gave his first concert when he was six and though still in his twenties has grown into a remarkable musician. One critic declared There is nothing [in his playing] that sticks, halts or rankles, nothing that requires retouching or is slipshod. He has performed at most of the prestigious music festivals in India and toured throughout India as a soloist. When interviewed about a recent award—he has won many—he responded, It feels good to win an award, but what is more impoortant is the music.

Fazal Qureshi is the second son of Allarakha who began his training with his father when he was very young. With the permission of his father—in the true guru shishya tradition—Fazal launched his professional career. He has performed as a soloist and accompanist in India and abroad. He is acclaimed for his eloquence and sensitivity, as well as for his versatility when accompanying western instrumentalists, especially in the jazz traditions. He has recorded with classical as well as Indian pop and western musicians.