OM Namah Shivaya - Krishna Das (Extended Version HQ Audio)

Niladri Kumar - Prayer in Fire (Raga Mian Ki Todi)

Great track from the musical team at Sona Rupa

Rakesh Chaurasia (Flute), Sunil Das (Sitar), Ulhas Bapat (Santoor), Zarin Daruwala (Santoor), Bhavani Shankar (Pakhawaj)

Please note, this song is for pure enjoyment and no commercial purpose, if you do like then consider buying the album:  http://goo.gl/6TqAHV

Instrumental - Tora Man Darpan (Sarod, Flute & Santoor)

Recorded: December 21st 2001

Ustad Zakir Hussain

Ustad Zakir HussainPopularly known as Tabla Maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain is the son of the renowned tabla player Ustad Allah Rakha. He was born on 9th March, 1951 and showed much interest in tabla since a very young age. This child prodigy started touring by the time he was twelve and started to perform at concerts and gain much recognition and fame. He went to in St. Michael's High School in Mahim and did his graduation from St. Xavier's Mumbai. In his twenties, he started to tour the United States frequently and performed in not less than 150 concerts per year. Read the fascinating life history of the famous musical genius in this biography of Zakhir Hussein. 

Zakir Hussain has had the opportunity to perform with many talented musicians not just in India but also all over the world. He became a famous international phenomenon. He has composed for many English movies like Apocalypse Now, In Custody, Little Buddha, The Mystic Masseur, Heat and Dust, etc. Zakir Hussain also acted in a brilliant documentary named "The Speaking Hand: Zakir Hussain and the Art of the Indian Drum" that was released in the year 2003. But it was not released on DVD due to lack of audience response. He also composed, performed and provided his valuable advice for Vanaprastham, which was screened at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. 

Zakhir has performed with many artists and has created brilliant works of fusion. His partnership with the famous band The Beatles truly deserves a special mention. He also recorded with the American psychedelic band called "Shanti" in the year 1971. In 1975, he worked with John McLaughlin in the band "Shakti". This band had John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain, L. Shankar, T.H. "Vikku" Vinayakram and R. Raghavan. It was disbanded by late 70's. However, the band was reunited a few years later by the name of Remember Shakti with some new members. The new band has released many albums like Saturday Night in Bombay, The Believer and 38th Montreux Jazz Festival. 

Zakhir Hussain also released his first solo album "Making Music" in the year 1987, which was proclaimed to be one of the most inspired East-West fusion albums ever. He was awarded the "Padma Shree" by the Government in the year 1988, thus making him the youngest percussionist to ever receive this award. Zakir Hussain has also received the National Heritage Fellowship (1999) which the most prestigious honor for a master in traditional arts in U.S. He has also been honored with Sangeet Natak Akademi Award by the President of India in the year 1991. He was also awarded the Grammy for the album "Planet Drum" which was produced and created by Zakir Hussain and Mickey Hart. 

Zakir Hussain married an Italian-American Kathak Dancer, Antonia Minnecola. She earlier worked as his manager for some time. Zakir Hussain has two daughters Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi. Anisa Qureshi graduated from UCLA and is trying her hand in video production and film making. The other daughter, Isabella is studying as a dance major in Manhattan. Zakhir Hussain has truly made his indelible mark in the field of music and has also acquired international acclaim. A true legend, his music shall continue to enthrall us for many more years to come.


Ustad Zakir Hussain - Unreleased Tabla Solo (Chatur)

1.GANESH - Shiva Shakti Kritam Ganadesha Stotram 04:32
2.KUBERA - Dyaan, Moolmantra, Gayatri, Homamantra, Ashta Kubermurti Pooja 06:02
3.ANGARAKA - Angaraka Stotram 03:48
4.SHAKTI - Sri Adi Shankara Kritam Navaratnamalika 06:30
5.SHIVA - Vasishta Kritam Dharidriyadukkadahana Panchakshari Shivastotram 08:53
6.SHUKRA - Sri Shukra Stotram 03:53
7.MAHAVISHNU - Sriman Narayaneyam-Kuchela Vritantam 05:56
8.SIDHILAKSHMI - Thaithreya Upanishad-Neela Suktam, Brahmandapuranam-Sidhilakshmi Stotram 05:53
9.KAMADEVA - Dhyaan, Malamantra, Moolamantra, Gayatri, Ashta Kamamurti Pooja 07:18
10.MANTRAPUSHPAM - Arunaprashna-Ashirvaad Veda Mantra, Kama, Kubera Namaskaram 06:02

Shukra - Sri Shukra Stotram

Ud Jayega Hans Akela

Raag of the Night, Depicting Eternal Longing.

Bandish :
ae ri aali piyaa bin
Sakhi aeri aali piyaa bin
sakhi kal na parat mohe
ik ghari pal chhin
ae ri aali piyaa bin
Sakhi ae ri aali piyaa bin
jabse piyaa pardes gaye morey
ratiyaan katat mori taare gin gin
ae ri aali piyaa bin
Sakhi aeri aali piyaa bin

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKZhsbFh7vs

RagaLabs : Versatile and aesthetically pleasing, Raag Yaman is boundless in creative pursuit. The attempt in this piece has been to creatively showcase, in a short time-span, the various components of a Hindustani music presentation. It starts off with a soothing alaap that draws one into the depth of the raag while touching upon all the notes that define it. The actual bandish is then presented - a basic version first, followed by experimentation with several variations in the mukhda and antara. Aakar and swar taans are generously interspersed as ornamental interludes. The piece ends with each singer signing off in their own unique way and harmoniously concluding on the homecoming note of ‘Sa’ !

Ae ri Aali  Piya Bin (Raag Yaman)

A track from the Album " Kamasutra - the music of love" by Abhijit Pohankar. It also features Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia, Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma & Pt Ajay Pohankar. The album can be bought on many digital sites like Amazon, emusic & iTunes http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/kamasutra-the-music-of-love/id442384996

Ustad Zakir Hussain - Unreleased Tabla Solo (Chatur)

Ustad Aashish Khan