Zakir Hussain, Pt Shivkumar Sharma to celebrate 40 years of togetherness

Classical music enthusiasts can look forward to a fun-filled evening, when stalwarts Pandit Shivkumar Sharma and Ustad Zakir Hussain join forces and celebrate their 40 years of performing together. The event is set to take place on January 15, and will feature...

Classical music enthusiasts can look forward to a fun-filled evening, when stalwarts Pandit Shivkumar Sharma and Ustad Zakir Hussain join forces and celebrate their 40 years of performing together. The event is set to take place on January 15, and will feature the famous duo enthralling the audiences with their popular jugalbandi and symphonies. Proceeds from the concert will be used to support a school in Gujarat.

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We also got talking to Pandit Sharma about his relationship with the tabla maestro and their journey together:

How would you describe your on-stage chemistry with Ustad Zakir Hussain?
Fans of Indian classical music around the world say that Zakir has the best understanding of my music and when both of us play together, it becomes a special experience for them. I think the reason for this is that Zakir has played in many concerts with me in his career. We’ve travelled together across the world. So besides understanding my music, he also understands me on a personal level. That makes a lot of difference.

How’s your off-stage relationship?
Whenever we are together, travelling or otherwise, we hardly discuss music. There’s a lot of laughter because I love telling him stories and anecdotes. Whenever he is free, he comes home and we spend quality time together over good food and conversations.

Have you decided something about the course of your concert on January 15?
We never plan or rehearse ahead of concerts. That is the beauty of Indian classical music. It is always spontaneous, unplanned and is thus improvised. Zakir and I will decide about the performance when we enter the auditorium.

Tell us about your upcoming tours?
After our concerts in India, we’ll be touring in the USA in March and April this year.

What do you feel about the present scene of Indian classical music and do you think the genre is in safe hands?
Today’s musicians are brilliant. They have a lot of exposure to good music and have the ability to communicate. As far as the santoor is concerned, my son and disciple Rahul Sharma has created an identity of his own and the listeners say that santoor is in safe hands.