(MENAFN- Gulf Times) It is going to be an unforgettable evening for music lovers. Ghazal maestro Hariharan is reuniting with legendary tabla (drums) player Ustad Zakir Hussain after almost two decades to deliver another episode of Hazir today. And, this time, the venue is Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC).
Speaking at a pre-event media conference held at Westin Doha, Hariharan promised it would be a night of pure bliss for music lovers from the subcontinent. 'We will be performing our new and old ghazals and you would get to listen to some fine melodies from Ustad Zakir's hands on the tabla. I invite you to come to QNCC and enjoy the show, said Hariharan.
The event, organised by Music Lounge, is set to be the finest of its class with music lovers coming from different communities in Qatar, including Qatari nationals, Indians, Pakistanis, Iranians, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans and many Westerners.
Stephen Devassy, director of Music Lounge and a popular musician himself, accompanied Hariharan at the press conference, taking a break from his busy schedule in order to ensure the success of the event. Stephen will also be performing solo on the grand piano before both Zakir Hussain and Hariharan will take the stage. 'Music Lounge team is very excited about the event specially due to its pure classical nature. Music Lounge is also grateful to the support of sponsors who believe in the rich cultural heritage of India, said Stephen.
'The government of Qatar has also been very responsive and supportive to the organisers to make arrangements for all necessary approvals and processes to make this event possible, he added.
Hazir, the concert, has been a sell-out event all over the world. Now the residents of Qatar have the chance to watch this great collaboration of musicians live on stage at the most prestigious theatre in the Middle East. Zakir Hussain, born to the legendary tabla player Alla Rakha, has stood colossal in the field of music. As a tabla player, Hussain has become a music producer, actor and composer.
He has been awarded a doctorate in music from University of Washington, the Padma Shri, the Padma Bhushan (the highest civilian award in India), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the National Endowment for the Arts (the highest award given to traditional artistes and musicians in the US), along with multiple Grammy awards for Best World Music Album, Best Contemporary World Music Album ...
Today he is appreciated both in the field of percussion and in the music world at large as an international phenomenon. His consistently brilliant performances have not only established him as a national treasure in his own country, but also on the world stage as a great classical musician and architect for the contemporary world music movement.
Hussain's contribution to the world of music has been unique, with many historic collaborations, including Shakti, which he founded with John McLaughlin and L Shankar, Making Music, Planet Drum with Mickey Hart, Tabla Beat Science, Sangam with Charles Lloyd and Eric Harland and recording and performances with artist as diverse as George Harrison, YoYoMa, Joe Henderson, Van Morrison, Airto Moreira, Pharoah Sanders and many more.
Hussain is accompanied by none other than one of the greatest ghazal singers of modern times, Hariharan. He is a son of renowned Carnatic vocalist Shrimati Alamelu and late Anatha Subramani Iyer, and has inherited his parents' musical talents.
Hariharan was captivated by the passion of ghazal and inspired by the songs of Mehdi Hassan. He started to train under the illustrious Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan. Hariharan is today known in the world of Indian music as one of the greatest ghazal singers of all time.
Fluent in multiple languages (Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Bengali and English), Hariharan has influenced all demography in the subcontinent. Touching hearts and minds of fans throughout the world for more than 40 years, Hariharan has earned his place on the list of music legends.
He has collaborated in multiple award-winning albums and live concerts with outstanding performers and bands such as A R Rahman, Yesudas, Strings, Ustad Rashid Mustafa, Ustad Liyaqat Ali Khan, Ustad Sultan Khan and many other musicians globally.
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