Zakir and his Tabla Dha Dhin Na
by Sandhya Rao and illustrated by Priya Kuriyan
“Zakir and his tabla Dha Dhin Na” by Sandhya Rao and illustrated by Priya Kuriyan. Published by Tulika. A charming story of the musical genius whose busy fingers and flying curls make him the inimitable Ustad Zakir Hussain.
When Bavi Begum came home from the hospital with her one and a half day old baby boy, he was placed on his father’s lap. The custom was that the father should pour blessings in the baby’s ears. Instead of prayers, Allarakha Qureshi who was a legendary tabla player whispered bols into the baby’s ears. The baby was named Zakir Hussain.
Little Zakir was always interested in rhythm, music and tabla. Almost everything at home would serve as a tabla for him to do some drumming! Sometimes Zakir stumbled upon his father’s tablas and he banged on them. Amazed by his antics, Allarakha’s students showed him how to hold the heel of his hand down on the left drum and how to bring the fingers down on the right drum of the Tabla. The bols that he heard from his father would play in his head over and over again.
When Allarakha Qureshi realised that Zakir had a talent, he nurtured it and took him under his wing to teach him all that he knew about music. Thereby started years of rigorous learning. Allarakha would sit and talk to him about music, traditions and musicians. Zakir took to his father’s lessons like a fish takes to water. He was blessed to have such a supportive and talented father who honed his skills and gave him unparalleled exposure.
The story traces his childhood and his initial years as he makes his way through the world of music. He worked with musicians from all over the world and put the Tabla on the world map like never before.
The book has many bols interspersed through the narrative. The illustrations complement the story well. Overall a beautiful story of passion, dedication, hard work and enthusiasm of the Tabla Maestro. Also a lovely bond between father and son. My seven year old enjoyed the story given that he loves reading about real people, as he tells me. Thank you Vidya Mani of Funky Rainbow for recommending this book! Apt for 6+ year olds.
Ustad Alla Rakha and Ustad Zakir Hussain - Jugal Bandi - Live
Here is a recording of a Live concert of the father-son duo in Jugalbandi. What drew me into this specific concert’s clipping is the energetic rendition of the bols and of course the mind blowing rhythm of them both playing the Tabla.
And here is Part 1 of the same concert
Where to buy from?
The publishers Tulika books here.
An independent indie bookstore, Funky Rainbow, from where I buy many of my books.