The demise of Ustad Zakir Hussain has left his tabla maker Haridas Whatkar deeply shocked. Haridas, 59, who is a third-generation tabla maker, emotionally told PTI, 'I first started making tabla for his father Allah Rakha Ji. I have been making tabla since 1998 for Zakir Hussain Sahab.
Last meeting in August Haridas further states that his last meeting with Ustad Zakir Hussain was in August this year. About this he said, 'It was the day of Guru Purnima. We met in a hall, where many of his fans were also present. Next day I went to his house in Shimla House Society on Nepean Sea Road. We would be engrossed in conversation for hours.
He was a perfectionist about tabla Discussing Zakir Hussain's passion and perfection for the tabla, Haridas said, he always wanted the perfect tuning of his tabla. He paid special attention to every small detail of the tabla – how it is made and when it is needed.
Not counting the tablas made During the conversation he said that so many tablas have been made for Zakir Hussain that it is difficult to count them. I still have many of his tablas. Along with making new musical instruments, I also used to repair old musical instruments. I made tablas for him and he made my life.
Not regular contact, but connection very good When asked if he was in regular contact with Zakir Hussain, he said, not regularly. He would call only when a new stable was needed or an old one had to be repaired. Our conversations used to happen at intervals of months.
A legacy of tabla making Haridas learned the art of making tabla in his childhood. His grandfather and father Ramachandra Kerappa also made tablas. After coming to Mumbai in 1994, he started working at Haribhau Vishwanath Company. Now his sons Kishore and Manoj are also carrying forward this tradition.
A final farewell to Zakir Hussain Zakir Hussain, 73, considered the greatest tabla player of his generation, died in a San Francisco hospital. The artist, world-renowned for his art, is survived by his wife Antonia Minnecola and two daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi.
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