‘We both love Good food’

The two played together for the first time at a show in 1967 at the Shiv Mandir Hall in Dadar. It was a jugalbandi concert between Shiv Kumar Sharma and Pandit VG Jog. Zakir Hussain was only in his teens back then. And now, as the two share the stage again at a new festival called The Splendour of Masters — Together after a 42-year-old association, Shiv Kumar Sharma reminisces about their friendship.

What is the best thing about playing with  Zakir Hussain?
The best thing is that he is one tabla player who has got complete understanding of my music, my musical temperament, what kind of tabla accompaniment I like and what the essence of santoor music is. Then, of course, he understands my personal temperament.

Is that what makes you two click on stage?
Music can be created not just by playing, it goes much beyond that and it depends a lot on the nature of the relationship you share with the person you collaborate with. We have played together all our lives and there is an impact of that on what we feel for each other as human beings.

You have other common interests too. What do you do when you are touring
together?
Well, we do share a great love for food. I’m a small eater though, but nevertheless, we both love good food. There’s a Pakistani dhaba in New York, where one gets superb sarson saag, mutton and chicken. Every time we’re there, he always goes and gets a take-away parcel of my favourite things and brings it to the hotel where we sit together and have a great meal.
Besides, I always make him laugh by telling stories, anecdotes and I never know how time passes.

So do you listen to the same kind of music when you travel together?
This time, in March-April when we were touring America, we travelled in these fancy buses with all kinds of facilities — beds, washrooms and TVs. We spent most of our time listening to music. Our tastes are quite similar in music like Amir Khan, Ghulam Ali, Nazakat Ali, Salamat Ali, Ali Akbar Khan. I really enjoy spending time with him.

What’s one habit or quirk that you have noticed about Zakirsaab?
I appreciate his utterly caring nature. He takes care of every small thing, including what I prefer eating and my frame of mind after my concert. But unlike many other people who have lived abroad for so long, Zakir has not forgotten his culture.