Ustad Zakir Hussain performs in 'jugalbandi' with santoor king

Tabla player Ustad Zakir Hussain tonight performed 'jugalbandi' with Pandit Shibkumar Sharma at the 'Swara Samrat Festival' here.
"I am dedicating today's performance to Ustad Ali Akbar Khan Saab and the discerning audience of Kolkata which had been applauding kalakars for ages," Zakir Hussain said before performing late tonight in a unique musical companionship between two legendary Hindustani instrumentalists.
Among the august audiences were percussionist Pt Bickram Ghosh and Pt Tanmoy Bose.
"Hearing the names of Pt Shib Kumar Sharma and Zakir Hussein since my childhood days. Both are inspirations. It is a wonderful feeling to be here," Bickram said.

"We are proud that Zakirji had been performing in this festival for consecutive years, among the very select places all over the country.
"This shows his love for this city and musical heritage," Tanmoy said.

"Ustad Zakir Hussain (Tabla) has been playing in Kolkata only for the Swara Samrat Festival and he has not performed in any of the festivals organized in India for more than two consecutive seasons," eminent classicist and livewire beind the show Pt Tejendra Narayan Majumder said.
There will also be names like Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee (Sitar), Ustad Rashid Khan (Vocal) with Pandit Tanmoy Bose (Tabla) and Pandit Jyoti Goho (Harmonium) with Pandit Bickram Ghosh, and Sujata Mohapatra (Odissi) on the two days.

The Festival is aimed at showcasing the best of Indian Classical Music and Dance to the discerning Kolkata audience who have always supported classical music, Majumder said.