‘Zakir Bhai was a bridge who connected generations, genres

There’s a treat awaiting music lovers on February 16 as 3 Sur 3 Taal – Sangeetmay Tihai will offer a day-long musical fiesta. Organised by Pancham Nishad and the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre, it’s a celebration of Indian classical music and a tribute to the legendary Ustad Zakir Hussain. In an interview with ‘The Perfect Voice’, Shashi Vyas, founder of Pancham Nishad, which organises music events across the city, talks about the event and whether classical music continues to enjoy popularity among the young audiences.

What is the concept of 3 Sur 3 Taal?

Teen Sur Teen Taal is a simple yet profound celebration of the essence of Indian classical music. The idea is to bring together three fundamental aspects—Kanthswars (vocal music), Swarvadyas (melodic instruments), and Taalvadyas (percussion)—and present them in a way that resonates with both seasoned listeners and new audiences.

Indian music has always been a confluence of melody, rhythm, and voice—each playing an integral role in shaping its beauty. This event is a heartfelt pranaam to Zakir Bhai, a musician who embodied the very soul of rhythm, yet always saw music as a seamless unity of all its elements. Through this, we wish to carry forward his vision—where the tradition remains strong, yet young talent is given the wings to take it forward.

It is believed that this idea was conceptualised by Zakir Husain and you.

The seed for 3 Sur 3 Taal was planted many years ago in one of my conversations with Zakir Bhai. We would often discuss the need for a space where emerging musicians could blossom while staying deeply connected to the roots of tradition. It was an idea we both cherished, but as life would have it, our schedules never allowed us to bring it to life together. Last year, when we lost Zakir Bhai, it left a void that can never truly be filled. But his music, his philosophy, his warmth—those remain. And so, I felt that this was the time to bring 3 Sur 3 Taal to fruition, not just remembering him, but as a continuation of his belief that young musicians are the future, and they must be nurtured with love and respect.

Who are the key artists performing in this day-long programme?

This event is a celebration of young musical brilliance, and we are blessed to have some of the most promising artists performing. Among the tabla soloists, we have Vivek Pandya, Ishaan Ghosh, and Yashwant Vaishnav—each one carrying forward the rich legacy of rhythm with incredible dedication. On the melodic side, we have the mesmerizing sitar of Mehtab Ali Niazi, the soulful flute of S. Akash, and the deeply evocative sarangi of Momin Khan, and in the vocal segment, we will be enchanted by the voices of Aniruddha Aithal, Armaan Khan, and Gandhar Deshpande, who are each bringing their own interpretation of our musical heritage. Guiding the spirit of this event, Yogesh Samsi will share his reflections on Zakir Bhai’s contributions, giving us all a deeper insight into not just the music, but the man behind it."

What was Ustad Zakir Hussain’s biggest contribution to Indian music?

Zakir Bhai was not just a tabla player—he was a bridge. He connected generations, genres, and geographies. He brought the tabla to the world stage, not by changing its essence, but by revealing its universality. His biggest contribution was his ability to make rhythm feel like a conversation—whether it was a complex tihai in a classical concert, a dynamic exchange with jazz legends, or a simple kaida that he would play with such joy that even a child would be drawn to it. But beyond the music, it was Zakir Bhai’s humility, his warmth, and his ability to make every artist—young or old—feel valued. That is his true legacy. He showed us that mastery is not about being the best, but about giving your best, with love and sincerity."*

How can we draw more young people to classical music?

The beauty of classical music is that it is timeless. The challenge is not in making it relevant, but in making it accessible. Zakir Bhai always believed that young minds must experience music, not just listen to it. If we create spaces where they can feel the energy of a live performance, interact with artists, and immerse themselves in the joy of sur and taal, they will naturally be drawn to it. We must also celebrate young talent, encourage new voices, and most importantly, present music in a way that speaks to today’s generation without compromising its depth. That is precisely what '3 Sur 3 Taal' – Sangeetmay Tihai aims to do—build a bridge where tradition and youth walk together, just as Zakir Bhai always envisioned.

The show starts at 9 AM on February 16 at the Yashwatrao Chavan Centre, Nariman Point and is free for all to attend.