A ‘Global Salute’ to Ustad Zakir Hussain: Artistic Awakening at NCPA with Over 50 Artists Participation of Pu La Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy as well

Mumbai, December 2025 : On the first death anniversary of the world-renowned tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain, more than 50 nationally and internationally acclaimed artists, students and their families will come together to offer a ‘Global Salute’ to him through the two-day programme titled ‘Maestro Forever’. The programme is being organised by the NCPA. Many of the participating artists have performed alongside Ustad Zakir Hussain and also shared personal bonds with him. The list of artists includes eminent names such as John McLaughlin, Louis Banks, Dave Holland, Ganesh Rajagopalan, Ranjit Barot, V. Selvaganesh, Shankar Mahadevan, Chris Potter, Sanjay Divecha, Gino Banks, Ajay Chakraborty, Amjad Ali Khan and Rakesh Chaurasia.

This two-day tribute programme will feature musical concerts, lecture-demonstrations, panel discussions, a photo exhibition depicting Ustadji’s life journey, and documentaries. Through these various elements, audiences will get a multidimensional and deeply touching glimpse into the life and cultural legacy of Ustad Zakir Hussain.

Along with artists and admirers, Ustadji’s wife Antonia, daughters Anisa and Isabella, and his brother will also participate in the tribute programme. All will come together to remember and honour this great and unique artist who gave a new identity to the tabla and inspired future generations.

This two-day memorial festival will be held on December 14 and 15, from 9 am to 9 pm, across various stages of the NCPA.

The Cultural Affairs Department of the Government of Maharashtra is also participating in this initiative. As a mark of respect to Ustadji, selected programmes from this initiative will be presented through the Pu La Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy at Prabhadevi. These programmes will be presented free of cost for art lovers at the newly renovated and well-equipped mini theatre of the Academy at Prabhadevi.

The State Government’s Cultural Affairs Department and the Pu La Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy have extended a cordial invitation to art lovers to attend the programme. Cultural Affairs Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar has appealed to audiences to attend the morning session from 9 to 11:30 am and the evening session from 6:30 to 9 pm on Monday, December 15, and enjoy the programme.

Programme Schedule

Monday, December 15

Morning Session – 9 to 11:30 am
Swaranjali: Indian Music
• Ajay Chakraborty – Vocal
• Ishan Ghosh – Tabla
• Ajay Jogalekar – Harmonium
• Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash – Sarod
• Aditya Kalyanpur and Amit Kavathekar – Tabla accompaniment

Evening Session – 6:30 to 9 pm
• Fazal Qureshi – Tabla
• Taufiq Qureshi – Djembe
• Yogesh Samsi – Tabla
• Rakesh Chaurasia – Flute
• Sridhar Parthasarathy – Mridangam
• Vijay Prakash – Vocal
• Ajay Jogalekar – Harmonium
• Sangeet Haldipur – Piano
• Shikharnaad Qureshi – Djembe and percussion
• Naveen Sharma – Dholki
• George Brooks – Saxophone
• Accompanied by disciples of the Punjab Gharana