A Life of Tradition and Innovation

Zakir Hussain’s life and music embodied the perfect balance of tradition and innovation. He was a torchbearer for the rich heritage of Indian classical music, dedicating his life to its preservation, especially through the legacy passed on by his father Ustad Allarakha. He formed some fantastic partnerships with classical artists of India, including Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, Ustad Sultan Khan, Ustad Vilayat Khan and others. Moreover, he enjoyed collaborating with musicians from diverse genres and cultures, and is well known for fascinating experiments like ‘Tabla Beat Science’ in California, and the Shakti Collective, which led to an enduring legacy lasting decades. His pioneering efforts paved the way for Indian classical music to resonate with audiences far and wide, inspiring countless artists, listeners, and future generations.

A Cherished Relationship with Milap

Over the years, he performed in solos and duets for Milap and brought renowned ensembles like Shakti and The Masters of Percussion to Liverpool, delighting music fans from all over. It was special and important seeing him perform especially in the North West of England, where he had fewer appearances, and fans could see him both main stages and intimate settings. These performances graced iconic venues such as The Bridgewater Hall and The Philharmonic Hall. In 2009, we had the privilege of hosting an amazing teaching interaction between Zakir Ji and members of our National Youth Orchestra, Samyo. The very last time we worked with Zakir Ji was remotely, in 2020, on the brilliant collaboration “The Thillana,” where he helped us honor another legend, Lalgudi G Jayaraman.

A Lasting Inspiration

Our first encounter with Zakir Ji was on an early tour of Liverpool in the 1980s, when he was welcomed and hosted by our founder director, Prashant Nayak. Milap’s first official concert was the first of its kind in Liverpool and the North West, paving the way for Milap’s own trajectory as a producer of festivals and events.  As a volunteer-led organization in those early years, hosting had a mix of the personal and the formal, and Zakir Ji was welcomed to the city as we would any honored guest, and Prashant and the team have fond memories of  learning about his early career, hearing anecdotes, and witnessing his growth as an artist. This trip included one of Milap’s first official concerts – a memorable concert at the Bluecoat Arts Centre with Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma.

Milap’s work in production and performance has often been inspired by visionaries like Zakir Hussain, whose contributions guide our mission of preserving and innovating Indian arts.