Taufiq Qureshi - A Percussionist

Taufiq Qureshi (born 1955) is an Indian classical musician. He is a percussionist and a composer.
Son of legendary tabla player, Ustad Alla Rakha and younger brother of the Great Ustad Zakir Hussain.
Born in a family where tabla was the bread and butter, there were these two pillars, his father Ustad Allarakha and brother Ustad Zakir Hussain, who were always there guiding and getting him ready for the world of rhythm. Since the time he started playing on stage and rhythm-programming in studios, he always wanted to work on exploring wider prospects of world rhythm through composing, music production and the ever inspiring world of live performances. With Zakirbhai's inspirational support, his parents’ blessings and his wife Geetika’s support and understanding push he plunged into the exquisite, exotic and exciting world of rhythm
Career
Taufiq Quereshi started his career early. His stint with live performances began with the creation of his own world music band, ‘Surya’ way back in 1986-87. He has been featured as a performing artiste on the 2009- Grammy award winning album Global Drum Project, Remember Shakti, Masters of Percussions and Summi. He collaborates with various classical artists for fusion concerts. He plays a variety of percussion instruments like djembe, duff, bongos, batajon. His performance on drums with a soft beat of a muffled drum and the very next moment ups the tempo and demonstration of different sounds - like breath, rhythm, breaking a champagne bottle, the sound of the train and the arrival of people, horses and others on arrival at the palace on the drums are quite popular Discography
Rhydhun (2000) Swar Utsav - Streams In Confluence (2001) Rhydhun Gold (2002) Mondo Beat - Masters of Percussion India The Greatest Songs Ever Taalisma (2002) Colours of Rajasthan (1995) PercJam (2003) Bombay Fever (2006) Mystic Soundscapes - Forest (2007) Rooh - Songs From The Heart (2007)

Dhondutai Kulkarni - The last living icon of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana

Dhondutai Kulkarni, (born 23 July 1927) is perhaps the last living icon of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana. The legendary Alladiya Khan, who founded the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana, made this Gharana unique by its full-throated singing, its complicated Taans, and its vast repertoire of Raags, which Dhondutai Kulkarni represents very well.

Early life
She was born in a Brahmin family in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. Dhondutai's father initiated her into music. From him she became an AIR performing artiste at the age of eight. She then started training under Bhurji Khan, whose father, Alladiya Khan, had a special care for Dhondutai, and it was not uncommon to find her sitting next to the legendary performer at music festivals. Her training continued under the mentorship of Laxmibai Jadhav and Ustad Azizuddin Khan, grandson of the legendary Alladiya Khan. From Ut. Azizuddin Khan she received most of her repertoire of rare Ragas. Thereafter, she spent a long number of years under the immensely distinguished knowledge of Kesarbai Kerkar, ending up as her sole disciple.

Repertoire
Her incredible repertoire of ragas sees to it that she rarely repeats a raga at two consecutive concerts. Dhondutai knows specialty Raag creations made not just by Alladiya Khan but also Kesarbai Kerkar. At 86, Dhondutai is saluted not just for her musical contributions, but also for her quality as a performing artist.

Awards and recognition
Dhondutai has been awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1990. She also has been invited to the "Surashri Kesarbai Kerkar Sangeet Sammelan" since its beginnings, she sings last at the concert.

Books
Namita Devidayal's book "The Music Room" chronicles a significant part of Dhondutai's life, music and career. Namita is one of Dhondutai's students and learned from her over a period of 25 years. The book talks about the life and music of Alladiya Khan, Kesarbai Kerkar and Dhondutai.

Dhondutai Kulkarni - National Programme