Zakir: My younger daughter Isabella is in the final year of college. Anisa is a production assistant on Memoirs of Geisha and many other films. I hope very soon she will support me. We meet quite often whenever I fly. I travel so much and I route my flight accordingly.

Shankar: What are your great moments as a musician?

Zakir: There is no such thing as a great musician or artist. All there is a great student because there are always new things to learn. My father was a great teacher. He was an untainted and unpolluted human being.

Shankar: Do you teach in your father's music school in Mumbai?

Zakir: Of course, yes. In winter, I am based in India for three months. That is when I teach in the school. My brothers Fazal and Taufeeq also teach in the school.

Shankar: Do you think future of music from tabla is endangered?

Zakir: No, Indian music is alive and kicking. At this moment, somewhere in the world, a concert maybe going on. There are 18 groups trouping the world and India. There are number of Indian music festivals. There is corporate support to such festivals too and young talent is coming up. My jaws drop listening to them.

Shankar: Any advise for young musicians?