Wow! He credits his father as being the "greatest tabla player of the 20th century". I realize it his father but Allah Rakha vs. Thirakwa? I don't think they are even in the same category. Also, I don't think it was Alexander the Great that misplaced the Dravidians. Zakir is about 3000 years too late in his history. Maybe he should take a history class.
Zakir is a twat by saying that alla rakha is the greatest tabla player in the 20th century.The greatest tabla nawaz after Thirakwa and in alla rakha generations is ustad miya shaukat hussain khan,without a dispute
I am sure Zakir said "probably the best", not "the best" which leaves pen to debate. So I feel that you are being too harsh by calling him a twat. And I believe that
he(Alla Raka) was one of the best but as I also believe there is not a 'best' out there. They(the great masters) are all very good and very individuals and that is what makes
them all GREAT!!
I can listen to Thirakwa one minute and think that he is the best, next minute I am listening to Pt Anindo Chaterjee and I am thinking that he is the best!!
Who is the best then? . .Ustad Nizamuddin Khan?
Pt Sharda Sahai? Pt Kishen Maharaj? Pt Sampta Prasad ( Now, there is a great player )? Swapan Chaudhuri? Sheik Dawood? Kumar Bose(have u ever heard the bayan of Kumar Bose?)?
You have to realize that Thirakwa, was largely responsible for the style of tabla that is played today. Even Zakir plays some compositions EXACTLY as Thirakwa did (i.e. dha trikr dhe tete ghe ne dha ti ghe na ti na ke na. .then to rela). No doubt Allah Rakha was a monstrous tabla player in his time. He was tried and true. Definately one of the more influential tabla players. You have to jusdge tabla players by there peers. Thirakwa was influential to many tabla players spanning many generations (look at Nayan and Nikhil Ghosh). Even in Nikhil Ghosh's time, Thirakwa was still considered THE best. If you've heard some of his compositions you'll know why. Anindo sometimes plays them in private solos and they are SOOO difficult and complex that it will leave your head spinning. I havn't heard any compositions from Allah Rakha that even come close to Thirakwas.
You have to realize that Thirakwa, was largely responsible for the style of tabla that is played today. Even Zakir plays some compositions EXACTLY as Thirakwa did (i.e. dha trikr dhe tete ghe ne dha ti ghe na ti na ke na. .then to rela). No doubt Allah Rakha was a monstrous tabla player in his time. He was tried and true. Definately one of the more influential tabla players. You have to jusdge tabla players by there peers. Thirakwa was influential to many tabla players spanning many generations (look at Nayan and Nikhil Ghosh). Even in Nikhil Ghosh's time, Thirakwa was still considered THE best. If you've heard some of his compositions you'll know why. Anindo sometimes plays them in private solos and they are SOOO difficult and complex that it will leave your head spinning. I havn't heard any compositions from Allah Rakha that even come close to Thirakwas.
