M A I N   N E W S

Ustad Alla Rakha Khan dead

MUMBAI, Feb 3 (UNI) — Tabla wizard Ustad Alla Rakha Khan, who won the hearts of millions with his magic fingers over the past six decades, died at his Shimla House residence here early today following cardiac arrest. He was 81.

The maestro, who was in a state of shock since yesterday following the death of his daughter Razia (51), a widow, after a cataract operation, died at around 3.30 a.m. His disciple Aditya said the maestro could not bear the shock of the untimely death of his daughter and kept calling her name again and again. The tabla exponent was buried this evening at the Mahim Kabrastan. His daughter Razia was laid to rest at around 6.35 p.m. He is survived by wife Bavi Begam (75), three sons — Ustad Zakir Hussain (tabla exponent), Fazal and Taufiq, daughter Khurshid and grandchildren. While Taufiq is here, Zakir Hussain and Fazal are in Calicut for a tabla performance. Khurshid, who stays in London, has also been informed.

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussein contemplates near the body of his father, Ustad Allah Rakha, who died early Thursday morning. Standing on his left is his brother, Fazal. — PTI

Known as ‘‘Abbaji’’, the maestro gave his last performance on Sunday at the 70th birthday celebrations of vocalist Pandit Jasraj at the Shanmukhananda Hall.

Born into a family of farmers and soldiers at Phagwal village in Jammu, 80 km from Lahore, Allah Rakha took his training in tabla from Kadar Bakshi of the Punjab Gharana. A good singer also, he learnt ragas from Ashiq Ali Khan of Patiala Gharana.

The undisputed monarch of tabla started his career as a staff artiste with All India Radio in Delhi way back in 1940. Later he also composed music for films ‘‘Sabak’’, ‘‘Khandaan’’, ‘‘Maa Baap’’, ‘‘Madari’’ and ‘‘Bewafa.’’

A legend in his lifetime — the mastero shot into fame in the 1960’s with his public performances.

Some of his immortal performances included ‘‘jugalbandis’’ with Pandit Jasraj and Bhimsen Joshi (both vocalists), Ravi Shankar (sitar), and Ustad Bismillah Khan (shehnai).

He also used to be part of the ‘‘Festival of India’’ team to promote and project Indian culture and art forms.

For his outstanding contribution to music, he was awarded the Padma Shree.

President K.R. Narayanan, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Union Minister Arun Jaitley, and a large number of artistes from all over the country have mourned the death Allah Rakha.

Mr Narayanan said an uncommon pulsation had been stilled in the passing away of the maestro. ‘‘His wrists, palms and fingers produced from the tabla a percussion of magical quality, which maintained the tempo and tenor of India’s uniquely assimilative musical culture. ‘‘The President said he joined the nation in mourning the genius as he joins the musical immortals of India’’, and expressed confidence that his sons Zakir Hussain and Fazal would ‘‘keep alive the tradition’’ set by their father.

In his message, Mr Vajpayee said in his death, the country had lost an accomplished maestro whose mastery over the tabla created waves all over the world.