Zakir Hussain was the maestro of tabla, percussionist, composer and even actor -- a legend who was India's very own and yet belonged to the world. Hussain died from 'idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis', a lung disease, in a San Francisco hospital early Monday. He was 73.
'When he played his inner light shone so bright! His joy embraced us all... we experienced divinity.'
'Zakir bhai always said, 'koi chala nahi jata hai', he believed even after death, you left something of yourself behind and he has left so much of himself behind.'
The eulogies will pour for Ustad Zakir Hussain. There will be those who recount his genius, his enterprise, his achievements, his grace, and his charm. I have no selfies or autographs to remember him by, but I will never forget his most generous and gracious gift to me -- one day in heaven, among the celestial ensemble of Indian music.
'Pankaj Udhasji took the Ghazal to the masses. He was a wonderful singer, but more importantly he was a wonderful human being.'
Arjun Menon lists some of the popular songs from the South Indian movies in 2023.
In the 76 years since India gained independence, 53 recipients of the Bharat Ratna have been there. That's less than one every year, which is a healthy ratio given there is the sanctity of this gem of an award to preserve. But four recipients for the year were announced in a few days in addition to one announced earlier. That took the total number in 2024 to five in less than a month, the highest for any year, post-Independence, notes Shyam G Menon.
'If you watch Baazigar even today, after 30 years of its release, you will enjoy it because of its novel story line.'
In the mood for romance but don't know which movies to watch? Tamil cinema has a lot to offer on OTT, and Arjun Menon lists his favourites.
'Many people pointed fingers at me.' 'They would ask, "Why did you sing such a song? Why did you do this 'double-meaning' song?"' 'My mother also asked, "Yeh kya gaaya?"'
'Thank you to everyone who ever collaborated, hired, or listened to my music. I exist because of you'
Spielberg was born with a camera in his eye. And this one movie, he'd been recording all his life, observes Sukanya Verma.
Weddings, holidays, award functions, throwbacks, festivals, family time or fooling around, 2023 saw a variety of posts beaming in joy. Of which these 25 Instagram moments of Bollywood stars are Sukanya Verma's favourites.
A self-taught musician Kej, 33, has previously composed soundtracks for Kannada films.
'We bonded over the fact that we are both from Delhi and he spent a lot of his childhood in the same neighbourhood as me.'
Deepa Gahlot lists the most popular Yash Chopra films -- the ones he directed, not produced (yes, so that means no DDLJ) -- that can be watched on OTT.
Anu Malik reveals how Baazigar revived his career.
Today, Anirudh Ravichander's name on a film's poster is enough to pull in audiences, notes Arjun Menon.
Serena Williams' career has been so astonishing that it could fuel umpteen movies
Fantastical musical moments from the International Jazz Day concert in Mumbai.
The arrival of autumn in Srinagar marks its presence by changing the chinar leaves to orange-red.
Bollywood stars celebrate Valentine's Day with loved-up pictures and messages.
'I am glad people are talking about Atrangi Re, good or bad. I'd be worried if they had nothing to say.'
Michael was due to release a documentary in 2017 after years of living as a virtual recluse in which he hit the headlines for a series of bizarre incidents linked to drugs.
With 28 Grammy wins in total, Beyonce breaks the record set by veteran singer Alison Krauss.
Goodbye makes ordinary places, ordinary people and ordinary events become interesting, observes Mayur Sanap.
We celebrate Kishore Kumar's 90th birth anniversary on August 4 with Amit Kumar's 10 favourite Kishore Kumar songs.
Meet Krishna Das, a chant master, whose rock 'n' roll kirtans are a growing rage in India and who is performing in three Indian cities this week.
Will Jaan Kumar Sanu make it to the top 5 or lift the coveted Bigg Boss trophy?
'His shocking demise is a reminder to us to take life slow.'
'We have lost one of music's most revered and prolific visionaries.'
Opthalmologist Dr Vishwa Ratan tells us how he spent his days during the lockdown.
Sukanya Verma lists her favourite songs of 2018. Are these on your playlist too?
Pritam has come up with an uncomplicated, accessible and candy-floss album.
In this weekly self-help series, mental health and life coach Anu Krishna tells you how to take control of your life.
Rediff reader Rahul Datta tells us how he changed his unhealthy diet and lifestyle and reclaimed his life.
'I cannot be confined to just one or two kinds of music.'
'Pancham was way ahead of his times. Picture chale na chale, RD's music was damn good.'
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