Zhakir Hussein (Tabla) Fusion

Attended 'Nirvana' a concert by Zhakir Hussein, Edgar Meyer, Bela Fleck, Rakesh Chaurasia & U Srinivas at World Trade Center Dubai on 14Feb13.

This concert was fusion music concert where Zhakir Hussein played tabla (obviously) accompanied by Edgar Meyer (Upright bass), Bela Fleck (Banjo), U Srinivas (Mandolin) and Rakesh Chaurasia (Bansuri).

Zakir, Edgar and Bela played full time and Srinivas and Rakesh joined for certain pieces. Upright bass played by Edgar was an instrument more than 100 years old.

This was my first time to listen live banjo and live mandolin & I enjoyed it. We were witness to some scintillating and enchanting music.

All the musicians were superb and concert was a delight but............

I felt there was not enough of Zakir Hussain in it !!!

Bickram Ghosh (Tabla)

Attended "Sufusion" a concert of Bickram Ghosh (tabla) assisted by Arun Kumar (drums), Pulit Sarkar (keyboard), Abhishek Malik (electric sitar), Amrish Das (vocal), Parvati Kumari (vocal), Biswanath Majumdar (purcussions) and  Tarun Chaktavarty (Dholak) at DUCTAC, Dubai on 8th Nov 2013 with Kumar, Thangaokar family, Banchhode family, Kunte family and for the first time Siddhant & Mihika.

Bickram, son of Pt. Shankar Ghosh, was the principal accompanist of Pt. Ravi Shankar for 10 years and is winner of Grammy award.

Concert started with 'Dance of Shiva' in raag Jog. This was not a Sufi piece, but it set the mood of concert on high.

Sufi part started with 2 kalams of Bulle Shah 'Are logon' & 'Ghoohat mein'. It was followed by Patiala gharana thumri 'Yaad piya ki awe'. Next came 'Gangotri' in raag Mishra Bhairavi. This followed by solo purcussion pieces. Every one played very well but the drummer stole this section.

Then there was a section of non instrumental percussion (by mouth) where the performance dipped slightly. Bickram then involved audience by asking them to play, whatever he plays, by clapping. Audience stood up to the occasion by repeating correctly.

Penultimate number was 'e ri sakhi' by Amir Khusro in raag Desh, in Sufi and Thumri style. Grand finale was 'damadam mast kalandar'. Satariya was too good here. Concert ended on a high note.

This was a rare concert where the principal artist did not always grab the center stage. Communication and understanding between Bickram and drummer was excellent.

Electric sitar was a novelty but sounded artificial, probably because we are used to conventional sitar. Parvati's uninhabited voice was a good change. She has excellent upper range. Amrish, though sang very very well, was not able to erase influence of Hindustani style while singing Sufi. Dholak was the weak link today. Also there was nothing in lower octaves in this concert.

Sound system was a little too loud. Drums (mike) should have been toned down. Vocals were muffled sometimes.

An excellent concert. Rating 9.5/10.
Fod dala!