Zakir Hussain Profile

Born: March 9, 1951
Achievement: Considered as the chief architect of the contemporary world music movement; youngest percussionist to ever be awarded the title of Padma Shri

Zakir Hussain is a classical tabla virtuoso and the most famous tabla player in India today. His contribution in the field of percussion and in the music world at large is highly appreciated.

Ustad Zakir Hussain was born on March 9, 1951. His father Ustad Allarakha was himself an established tabla player. Zakir Hussain did his schooling from St. Michael's High School in Mahim and completed his graduation from St Xaviers, Mumbai. Zakir Hussain was a child prodigy and started touring by the age of twelve. He came to the United States in 1970 and started his international career.

Zakir Hussain is widely considered as the chief architect of the contemporary world music movement. He founded much historic collaboration. These include: Shakti, which he founded with John McLaughlin and L. Shankar, the Diga Rhythm Band, Making Music, Planet Drum with Mickey Hart, and recordings and performances with a number of artists such as George Harrison, Joe Henderson, Van Morrison, Jack Bruce, Tito Puente, Pharoah Sanders, Billy Cobham, the Hong Kong Symphony and the New Orleans Symphony.

In 1987, Zakir Hussain's first solo release, "Making Music," was acclaimed as "one of the most inspired East-West fusion albums ever recorded." In 1988, Zakir Hussain became the youngest percussionist to ever be awarded the title of "Padma Shri" by the Indian government. In 1990, he was awarded the Indo-American Award in recognition for his outstanding cultural contribution to relations between the United States and India. In April, 1991, Zakir Hussain was presented with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award by the President of India. Zakir Hussain is also the recipient of the 1999 National Heritage Fellowship, the United States' most prestigious honor for a master in the traditional arts.

Zakir Hussain has composed soundtracks for several movies, notable among them are "In Custody" and "The Mystic Masseur" by Ismail Merchant. Zakir Hussain has also played tabla on the soundtracks of Francis Coppola's "Apocalypse Now", Bernardo Bertolucci's "Little Buddha".

Hariprasad Chaurasia Profile

Born: July 1, 1938
Achievement: Noted flute player; recipient of Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhusan.

Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, is a world-renowned exponent of the bansuri or bamboo flute. He is one of those rare classical musicians who expanded the peripheries of classical music by taking it to the common masses.

Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia was born on July 1, 1938 at Allahabad in a non-musical family. His father was a wrestler and wanted him to become one. Scared of his father, Hari Prasad Chaurasia learnt music secretly. At the age of 15, he started learning vocal music from Pandit Rajaram. After some time, he switched to learning flute under the guidance of Pt. Bholanath of Varanasi. Later on, while working for All India Radio, he received guidance from the reclusive Annapurna Devi (daughter of Baba Allaudin Khan).

Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia has introduced several innovations in the art of playing flute. He has significantly expanded the expressive possibilities of North Indian classical flute through his masterful blowing technique. Hariprasad Chaurasia has also made his mark as music director in the Hindi film industry. In partnership with Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, he has given music in several hit Hindi films such as "Silsila", "Chandni", and "Lamhe".

Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia has won several honors and awards. These include: Sangeet Natak Academy Award (1984), Padma Bhushan (1992), and Padma Vibhusan (2000).