Published on February 11, 2011
Mumbai: The Tabla syllable popularized by Late Ustad Allaarakha (Abbaji) that inspired the ace percussionist and acclaimed music composer Taufiq Qureshi so deeply, has now been made the name of Qureshi’s very own album dedicated to the intricate rhythms that percussion produce which will be launched on 24th Feb, 2011 with a glorious event. Tadhaa is a label which will release soulful music on a continuous basis irrespective of any genre.
Tadhaa is the album which Qureshi is releasing himself after his wholesome album ‘Rhydhun’ which created the benchmark in world music 10 years ago. Tadhaa has immense variety from Maharashtra folk to Ghazal styles, from classical to fusion. The album consists of all stalwarts like Ustad Zakir Hussain, Niladri Kumar, Ranjit Barot, Sridhar Parthasarthy, Bela Shende, Vijay Prakash, Ganesh Rajgopalan, Roop Kumar Rathod etc.
The music aficionados can witness some of the finest performances by well-known artistes, the audiovisual play of Tadhaa which will be followed by the launch of Tadhaa album at the hands of Tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain and celebrated duo of the Bollywood music – Music Directors Salim and Sulaiman Merchant.
Explaining the thought behind thinking of this unique name for the album, Qureshi said, “TaDhaa – is a Tabla syllable that was used very beautifully by my father (Abbaji) as a culmination of the crescendo of a Tabla composition. The high- energy point at this time would reflect on his face as well as his hands. I have always been smitten by this vision of Abbaji and hence the name TaDhaa for my album.” Qureshi finds content that he can now see his dreams turning into reality. According to him, “TaDhaa as a label is something I have always dreamt of -a label which can release good music irrespective of its genre. TaDhaa will release albums that can have a full fledged Raag being performed, as piece number one and piece number two could be a fully programmed and produced song. No barriers and no restrictions. I pray to God that I succeed in my endeavor.”
Any die-hard fan of percussion would applaud the painstaking and in depth effort that has gone behind the making of this album. Holding behind him a rich legacy of percussion, being the son and disciple of the legendary Ustad Allarakha and brother of Ustad Zakir Hussain, Taufiq Qureshi has carved for him a special niche in the field of world music and is fondly referred to as: Prince of Percussion.