Strings of legacy

Sarangi player Sabir Khan walks down memory lane as he remembers the late tabla maestro Zakir Hussain

- Narendra Kusnur

Sarangi player Sabir Khan has had a 21-year association with tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain, accompanying him at his solo recitals or in larger group settings. He says, "It began when my father, Ustad Sultan Khan, was having health issues, and Zakir saab requested him if I could play with him."

The instrumentalist is still trying to come to terms with Hussain's death in San Francisco on December 15. Though he was aware of the Ustad's health status during the past few weeks (he had been diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis), the news came as an irreparable shock. "My parents raised me, and my father initiated me into music and taught me, but Zakir saab mentored me and showed me the way," he says.

Khan points out that he is from the third generation from the family to perform with Hussain. He elaborates, "Zakir saab told me how he played with my grandfather, Ustad Gulab Khan. His association with my father lasted 33 years. He was with my father through his ups and downs, made the challenging times good. Thus, my father gave him full freedom in how he wanted to nurture me."