Matching Beats

Zakir Hussain and Marcus Gilmore may be vastly different in their musical roots, cultures and instruments but are bound by the universal language of rhythm which was evident as they tradition, the programme allows the protégé to spend time learning, watching and performing with the mentor. Gilmore attended Hussain’s tabla retreats, watched his students play and then replicated the music in his own style on drums. “In the earlier days, the stayed with their gurus for years and sometimes learnt a lot by just being a fly on the wall. Now times have changed with artists constantly travelling and performing so this is a new way of mentoring,” says Hussain, a Padma Bhushan awardee and two-time Grammy Award winner. For Gilmore, the “life-changing” experience went beyond rhythm and notes. “I saw how graceful he is, his people’s skills and learnt how to handle every situation as an artist,” he says.