Tabla Master heads for Auckland

At a fleeting glance, he may look like another legendry Tabla player but Ustad Tari Khan is no less in his mastery of the art.

The Pakistan-born, California (US) based Tabla Master is scheduled to present a concert at Avondale College Auditorium on Saturday, May 3 from 6 pm.

Organised by the Rhythm School of Indian Music, the programme will include popular Ghazals, for, he is also adept in this art, having learnt vocal music from his father and Ustad Mehndi Hassan.

School Director & Principal Manjit Singh said that the visit of the great Tabla artiste will herald a new phase in classical and instrumental music.

“Ustad Tari Khan is an accomplished artiste and as such will appeal not only to professional singers and performers but also to anyone with interest in Indian fine arts. He will be a great source of inspiration for learners,” Mr Singh said.

Talented family

Born in Lahore (Pakistan) he was raised in a traditional Rababi (musicians at Gurdwaras) family. Coming under the tutelage of Ustad Shaukat Hussain Khan, he learnt the nuances of the percussion instrument and was noticed as a promising performer when he presented a solo concert at the death anniversary of Mian Qadir Khan, a grandmaster of the Punjab Gharana.

Ustad Tari was just 17 years of age at that time but since then, he has matured as one of the greatest Tabla players of the world.

His most popular innovation is the ‘Keherwa’ (four beats) in presenting which, he mimics the various percussion styles of the world, including Australia, Africa, America, Europe, India and the Middle East.

A globetrotter, Ustad Tari has accompanied almost all great musicians and singers. Among them are Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Ustad Salamat Ali Khan, Noor Jahaan, Mehndi Hassan, Ghulam Ali and Hariharan.