A perfect tribute

By Narendra Kusnur


Music lovers surfing the Internet were in for a pleasant surprise yesterday, when they saw a Google doodle dedicated to the late tabla maestro Ustad Allarakha on his 95th birth anniversary. Family members and disciples were delighted.

Allarakha’s son and tabla exponent Fazal Qureshi said it was a great honour for the family. “Abbaji was one of the greatest international musicians of his generation. With Google recognising him, it can spread awareness about his music to the younger generation.”

Fazal’s brother Taufiq Qureshi, an established percussionist who has adapted the African djembe to the Indian rhythm style, said: “Abbaji, as we called him, passed away in 2000, but his music and his influence lives on. This was a perfect tribute.”

Tabla player Anuradha Pal, who has learnt from both Ustad Allarakha and his eldest son Ustad Zakir Hussain, said she was happy when she saw the doodle. “Abbaji has been a legendary musician and a great guru. Besides helping the tabla get its current popularity, he conducted musical experiments that inspired many other younger musicians.” Anuradha, however, felt that though it was a great gesture, his seating position could have been better. “He never sat like that, but the doodle captures the joy on his face,” she said.

Taufiq’s djembe-playing son Shikhar Naad Qureshi said that on April 28, his uncle Fazal had organised a wonderful tribute concert. “The Google icon added to our joy, and I hope it plays a role in spreading Abbaji’s music among youngsters,” he added.

In the past, other Indian musicians to be honoured with a Google doodle include legends MS Subbulakshmi and Jagjit Singh.