Tabla fit's in this time and generation: Zakir Hussain

Tabla is one of those raremusical instruments that has maintained its universal appeal even in this age, said eminent tabla player 'Ustad Zakir Hussain', who kicks off his Masters of Percussion series of performances across North America this week.

Tabla is one of those raremusical instruments that has maintained its universal appeal even in this age, said eminent tabla player 'Ustad Zakir Hussain', who kicks off his Masters of Percussion series of performances across North America this week.

"Tabla is one of those rare blessed instrument that has fit in this time and with this generation. It is one of the most loved and desired percussion instruments anywhere in the globe," Ustad Zakir Hussain said.

"If you watch television, Hollywood movies or Bollywood movies, then the background score that you hear is of tabla... there is not a single movie I know that does not have a sound of tabla in it," Ustad said.

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"Tabla, has become a rhythm instrument of choice for a lot of composers, for lot of remix artists, for DJs, for rappers, hip-hop people and of course for the Indian people whether it is ghazal, qawali or Bollywood movie" he said.

"So it is an instrument that fits into all these genres of music and therefore it is one of the most universally loved percussion instrument in the similar way like bongo drum or a drum set have been for the last many decades," Hussain added.

The 63-year-old musician feels that the young crop of tabla players have also contributed a lot to spread the popularity of the instrument."And so it becomes easier for tabla to be promoted through their talents and performances," he said.