Ideas Of India: Taufiq Qureshi Shares Bade Ghulam Ali Khan Named Him & Zakir Hussain, Pay Homage To Late Legend With Bickram Ghosh
Both veterans Taufiq Qureshi and Bickram Ghosh shared stories from their childhood and even paid a tribute to late legendary Tabla player Zakir Hussain.
Ideas of India: Renowned Indian classical musicians Taufiq Qureshi and Bickram Ghosh graced 'Wah Ustads: Magic at their Fingertips' session at ABP Network's Ideas of India Summit 2025. ABP Network which began its fourth edition of its much-awaited Ideas of India Summit on February 21-22, 2025, at Mumbai's Grand Hyatt Hotel, saw the legendary musicians present interesting collaborations( jugalbandis) using their hands, mouth, rhythm using breath and hands-on-heart.
The varying techniques gave a very contemporary touch to the otherwise traditional classical styles of playing percussion instruments such as tabla. Both veterans shared stories from their childhood and even paid a tribute to late legendary Tabla player Zakir Hussain.
Taufiq Qureshi on pressures of growing up in legend Alla Rakha Khan’s household
Moderated by Romana Isar Khan, Taufiq Qureshi spoke about his upbringing in the household of legendary Tabla maestro Ustad Alla Rakha Qureshi and his brother Zakir Hussain. Qureshi shared that despite the projection of pressure of performance, 'family humesha supportive hi rahi hai.'
Taufiq Qureshi also recalled an incident in childhood involving the time when his father retired from active performance duties and began teaching students. At the time, a student and his father had come up with the question that by how long will the prospective student begin to play like Zakir Hussain. To which, Alla Rakha Khan jokingly remarked that his younger brother Taufiq has not learnt that yet, so he cannot really promise.
Bickram Ghosh’s childhood
Bickram Ghosh who is also an Indian classical tabla player and learned the instrument from his father, Pandit Shankar Ghosh, spoke about being a child prodigy. Ghosh apparently performed his first concert at nine. But, people were so impressed with his performance that his father forbade him to perform for 10 long years, for fear he would stop practicing and become used to appreciation.
Ghosh also recalled an incident when an audience member pointed out that he did not match up to his father's level of performance. Later, Pandit Shankar Ghosh suggested that he develop his own style of playing and the pressure of performing in a legendary family gave way to something new.
Musical legacy behind Taufiq Qureshi and Zakir Hussain's name
During the same interaction, Taufiq also made an interesting revelation that his and his brother Zakir’s name was given by Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, who often played with his father Alla Rakha Khan.
Both maestros also concluded the session by paying tribute to the late Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain.
Ideas of India 2025
As India approaches the 100th anniversary of its independence in 2047, the Ideas of India 2025 summit will celebrate the nation's extraordinary journey and its bright future ahead. Under the theme "Humanity's Next Frontier," the summit will explore India’s rising global influence and its pivotal role in shaping the future.
With a distinguished lineup of thought leaders, innovators, and change-makers, the event aims to ignite meaningful conversations, inspire new ideas, and set the stage for a prosperous tomorrow.
The Ideas of India Summit has an exceptional lineup of thought leaders, featuring influential political figures, acclaimed authors, scientists, business moguls, and artists. Key speakers include Congress MP Dr Shashi Tharoor, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Ambassador Kurt Volker, Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, and Nobel Prize-winning biologist and former President of The Royal Society, Dr Venki Ramakrishnan.
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