‘AR RAHMAN IS A COMPLETE PACKAGE ’ Ustad Zakir Hussain gets chatty with ATon Grammy, Gulzar and the alchemy of love ...
*VINITA CHATURVEDI Times News Network * His nimble fingers caress, cajole the dayan and bayan just like a deft lover teases his paramour, creating molten melodies in the aftermath, which transcend the boundaries of the physical terrain and gently glide towards divine ecstasy. But then, what else would you expect from Zakir Hussain, the greatest living legend of tabla, who has enraptured music aficionados for decades with his mindblowing renditions. The virtuoso tabla player then got into his element speaking on Bollywood, controversies and romance... ‘Rahman’s a complete package !’ In this season of Grammy Awards, has he congratulated AR Rahman on his double whammy and Zakir says, “Of course, I did! He has done India proud and now the west’s waking up to the importance of outstanding Indian artistes; and Rahman’s a complete package!" ‘Gulzar’s Grammy will arrive’ Speaking of Grammys, what’s his take on Gulzar’s missing award? The Grammy award-winning tabla exponent says, “If Gulzar saab had gone to the US for the award ceremony, he would’ve received it along with Rahman. Since he didn’t, now it will be sent to his place and the process may take a couple of months. It happened in my case too, so it’s not Rahman’s fault !” ‘Beyonce’s great entertainer, but...’ He can’t deny that Grammy Awards are now associated with controversies. Zakir gives his take: “Grammys now have quite a few new categories that give different artistes a chance to be nominated. Beyonce is a great entertainer, but it’s sad that an artiste like Amjad Ali Khan didn’t get the award. Today these award committees have to keep the commercial aspects in mind to garner maximum television audience, and the money earned goes towards cheap housing and medical insurance for the musicians in the US. Sadly, in India, we don’t have such awards, for which musicians and singers will literally die to get a nomination.” ‘Bollywood? Yes, of course !’ Interestingly, the man who has been “brought up on Bollywood capers” hasn’t composed music for any Bollywood film till date. Ask him why this aversion and pat comes the reply: “Koi chance hi nahin deta! Jokes apart, due to my frequent travelling, I can’t devote much time to Hindi films, so smaller crossover films suit me best when it comes to composing music.” And what about appearing on 70 mm screen as an actor again? “If I’m offered a role to play Aamir’s or SRK’s dad, I will surely do it,” gaffaws the ustad. ‘Wife makes me blush !’ With Valentine’s Day aproaching, the maestro seems to be in a mushy mood. So, can he still make his wife Antonia blush? He pertly replies: “I hope so, but she surely makes me blush! Diamonds, perfume and all the gifts in the world can’t suffice for the love and caring that she’s given me.” AURA DIVINE: Ustad Zakir Hussain http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JQS8yMDEwLzAyLzA4I0FyMDIxMDE= -- - Regards ~ ~ A.R.Rajib ~ ~
