Says percussionist Taufiq Quereshi, as he talks about performing for his alma mater at The Indian Music Group's Janfest

Says percussionist Taufiq Quereshi, as he talks about performing for his alma mater at The Indian Music Group's Janfest

Of all the hours that Ustad Taufiq Quereshi spent at the St Xavier's college campus, the most were devoted to volunteering for The Indian Music Group (IMG). In fact, he says, "When it was time to choose a college, I was hoping to get through to Xavier's, only for IMG." Taufiq has performed in the famed quadrangle quite a few times, but this is his debut Janfest performance. This year, he and brother Fazal Quereshi are part of the line-up.

Ustad Alla Rakha with sons Zakir, Taufiq and Fazal with Shiva Mani

In it's 37th year, the organisers have decided to dedicate the festival to their father Ustad Alla Rakha Khan, as a mark of respect to the man who helped IMG in its initial days. "Ustad Alla Rakha was instrumental in providing support to the group since its inception right till the 80s. He used to hold lecture demonstrations and small baithak performances before Janfest was even conceived," says Ameya Bhangale, general secretary, IMG.

It was in fact, at one of Abbaji's lecture demonstrations that Taufiq first set foot on campus. "I was in school then," says the percussionist who is excited about going back to his college as an accomplished musician, and performing in the "quadrangle of my college." Taufiq will be playing the djembe, but in his own style. "Zakir bhai (brother and tabla maestro Zakir Hussain) calls my djembe composition Tabal Taal because I'm essentially defining the tabla on this handheld percussion instrument," he explains. Taufiq betrays a hint of nervousness as he speaks about his experiment in front of an audience he calls "kansenu00a0-- those who are very sharp in their observation of music."

On: January 24, 5.30 pm onwards. Ustad Taufiq Qureshi (djembe), Shri Yogesh Samsi (tabla), Shri Shujaat Khan (sitar), Pt Rajan and Pt Sajan Mishra (vocals); January 25, 7 pm onwards - Rahul Sharma (santoor), Ustad Rashid Khan (vocals), Aditya Kalyanpur (tabla); January 26, 6.30 pm onwards. Begum Parween Sultana (vocals), Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia (flute), Fazal Quereshi (tabla).
At: First quadrangle, St Xavier's College, Mahapalika Marg, CST. Call: 22634548 Tickets: Rs 200, Rs 350, Rs 550, Rs 600, Rs 700, Rs 850, Rs 1,000 and Rs 5,000

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