The music industry is in mourning today after the demise of tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain on December 15, Sunday. The flute wizard Pt. Ronu Majumdar who has worked with Zakir Hussain for many albums and shared the stage for various concerts paid tribute to the tabla maestro. The cause of death was confirmed to be idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease. The news was confirmed by Jon Bleicher of Prospect PR, representing the family. In a video sent by the PR team of Pt. Ronu Majumdar, the flute wizard offered his condolences to the family of Zakir Hussain. "Today is a very sad day for the music world, that Zakir Hussain is no more with us. Our Zakir bhai, the one whom everyone considered their own, how great that artist was, is beyond imagination. He used to make everyone sit near him. I have a lot of memories associated with the whole family. My condolences to all of them. I will miss you always," he said in a self-made video. Ronu Majumdar is among the popular musicians with flute. Apart from his concerts all over India in different music festivals, he also participated in the Festival of India in Moscow and Asiad '82 in New Delhi. He is also known for several collaborations with other leading instrumentalists. Along with the music industry and his colleagues, Ustad Zakir Hussain's demise is been mourned by many Bollywood celebrities including Amitabh Bachchan, Ranveer Singh, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Madhur Bhandarkar and others. Ustad Zakir Hussain's passing marks the end of an era for world music. His extraordinary career spanned almost six decades, during which he elevated the tabla from a supporting instrument in Indian classical music to a central figure in performances worldwide. Known for his virtuosity and emotive expression, Hussain was not just a performer, but a cultural ambassador who bridged the gap between traditional Indian rhythms and global musical genres. Zakir Hussain's contributions to music were recognised by numerous prestigious awards over the years, including the Padma Shri (1988) and Padma Bhushan (2002) from the Indian government, as well as four Grammy Awards. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
16 December,2024 02:19 PM IST | New Delhi | ANITabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain passed away early in San Fransisco in the US on December 15 leaving many people really sad around the world. Among the many to react has been British-American sitar player and musician Anoushka Shankar who expressed her grief on social media hours after the news of his death was confirmed by the family. Shankar, who is the daughter of legendary Indian sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar, wrote on her Instagram, "Dear God, may he rest in peace. He has now passed away approx 1.5 hours ago surrounded by family. Sending them all the love in the world to get through this. We have lost one of the Greatest. Some of us have lost a beloved. It is devastating." Earlier in the day, amid many news reports of his passing away being circulated on social media, he stated, "Please stop posting about Zakir Uncle's demise. He is in critical condition but passed yet. Please pray for him and his family and stop printing inaccurate news."Interestingly, Hussain has also collaborated with her father during their lifetime, leading to a close family bond. Hussain passed away due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis at 5.12 am, a family representative confirmed to mid-day, after he was admitted to the hospital last week.
16 December,2024 01:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentInfosys co-founder Narayana Murthy has reiterated the call to work 70-hour a week, urging young people in India to work hard for the country’s growth. Murthy first suggested the idea of a 70-hour work week in 2023 to boost the country’s growth. While he invited widespread criticism from people and doctors, the concept was hailed by many including Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal. Murthy, during his recent visit to Kolkata, said that the younger generation needs to realise that they have to “work hard and work towards making India number one.” He emphasised the need for Indians to strive for excellence. "At Infosys, I said we will go to the best and compare ourselves with the best global companies. Once we compare ourselves with the best global companies, I can tell you we Indians have a lot to do" Murthy said, speaking at the Indian Chamber of Commerce's centenary launch alongside RPSG Group Chairman Sanjiv Goenka. “We have to set our aspirations high because 800 million Indians get free ration. That means 800 million Indians are in poverty. If we are not in a position to work hard, then who will work hard?” he added. Murthy said that he “realised the only way a country can fight poverty is by creating jobs that lead to disposable incomes. The government has absolutely no role in entrepreneurship”. He stressed that entrepreneurs play a crucial role in building nations by creating wealth and generating employment. "Entrepreneurs build a nation as they create jobs, they create wealth for their investors and they pay taxes. Therefore, if a country embraces capitalism, it will create good roads, good trains, and good infrastructure," he said. His comments come amid concerns of workplace stress faced by young Indians, resulting in the loss of lives of many. Health experts have also warned of severe consequences of working long hours that may not only be detrimental to the physical and mental health of the employees but may also have serious effects on their personal and social relationships. Also Read: Toxic work culture: Humiliation at workplace is driving employees to quit This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
16 December,2024 12:25 PM IST | Kolkata | IANSNoted classical singer and harmonium artist Pandit Sanjay Ram Marathe died at a hospital in Maharashtra's Thane city, his family said on Monday. He was 68. The artist had suffered a severe heart attack and was admitted to a private hospital in Thane where he died on Sunday night, his family members said. He was the eldest son of legendary musician Pandit Ram Marathe. Pandit Sanjay Marathe leaves behind a legacy rooted in Indian classical music and theatre. He was highly respected for his expertise in harmonium and melodious singing, and actively participated in various programmes held this year, marking the birth centenary of his father. In collaboration with his younger brother Mukund Marathe, Pandit Sanjay Marathe revived and staged the famous Marathi musical play 'Sangeet Mandarmala' as part of the centenary commemoration of their father. The production received widespread acclaim for its innovative experiments while preserving the essence of the traditional Marathi musical theatre. Pandit Sanjay Marathe is survived by his wife, a son and granddaughter. Also Read: ‘Growing up, he was like God’: National Award-winning vocalist Mahesh Kale on Ustad Zakir Hussain This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
16 December,2024 11:01 AM IST | Mumbai | PTIUstad Zakir Hussain, one of the most celebrated classical musicians of India and a renowned name across the world, passed away on Monday morning at a San Francisco hospital. Aged 73, he was battling idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which has been stated as the official cause of death according to the family statement. Throughout his more than six-decade long career, the tabla maestro not only inspired young Indians to pursue the art form but also became the ambassador of Indian music globally. From starting his music career at a young age to contributing his expertise to various international albums, Ustad Hussain set several award-worthy benchmarks. Most recently, he won three Grammy Awards in February 2024 for different albums, alongside other artistes who contributed to them. Here’s a look at the musicians long list of awards. - Hussain was awarded the Padma Shri in 1988, the fourth-highest civilian honour in India. Furthermore, he was also won the Padma Bhushan in 2002, the third-highest civilian honour in India, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023, India’s second-highest civilian honour. - One of the earliest awards he received was the Sangeet Natak Academi Award in 1990, given by the President of India. The academy also accorded Hussain with the Academy Fellow award, also known as the Academy Ratna, for the year 2018. - In 1992, ‘Planet Drum’, an album he collaborated with Mickey Hart on, won the first-ever Grammy Award for Best World Music Album. - Hussain has 7 Grammy nominations and 4 wins. - In 2009, at the 51st Grammy Awards, the table maestro won the Grammy in the Contemporary World Music Album category for his collaborative album ‘Global Drum Project’. - In 2024, at the 66th Grammy Awards, Hussain won three awards: Best Global Music Performance for Pashto, written and recorded in collaboration with Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer and Rakesh Chaurasia; Best Global Music Album for This Moment, which marked the comeback of the pioneering world-fusion band Shakti; Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for As We Speak, which he won alongside Fleck, Meyer and Chaurasia. Apart from these world-renowned honours, Hussain has been conferred with several regional, national and international awards and recognitions. Also Read: Tabla virtuoso Ustad Zakir Hussain reminisces about a special memory in Mumbai and talks about the evolution of Indian classical music
16 December,2024 10:29 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTabla maestro Zakir Hussain left a huge void in the music world as he passed away early morning on December 16. The late percussionist was not only an ace artiste but also an inspiration for many veterans and newbies of the industry. His skill and willingness to explore multiple genres has registered him as one of the most legendary figures of Indian and global music. As the news of his death came out, several musicians poured in tributes for him, sharing their memories with the maestro and how the latter shaped their musical journey. Mahesh Kale, San Francisco-based National Award-winning Hindustani classical vocalist also expressed his grief. “I have a sense of bereavement… I am completely dumbfounded,” he said. Expressing his deep admiration for the maestro, he added, “There are so many things I remember about Zakir ji. Growing up, he was like God, and he became God – I could see that when I met him. And he beheld and lived many qualities that are godly.” Kale has several fond memories with Hussain. Reflecting on the same, he shared, “I was fortunate that I lived in a town not too far away from him in San Francisco. I have been very fortunate to have spent one-on-one time with him on several occasion – in his table workshops, Gandhiji's 150th birthday celebrations that we both were a part of, etc.” “It was during the pandemic that he said we should try to do something remotely, but I insisted we do something in person because it gave me the opportunity to spend some time with him. We have spent days together, and every single moment with him was a learning experience, a masterclass in itself,” he concluded. Throughout his journey, Ustad Zakir Hussain touched many lives, a fact evident form the immense grief that prevails among both the creative industry and fans alike. Also Read: 'He was surrounded by family and loved ones': Official statement confirms Zakir Hussain's demise
16 December,2024 09:46 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMonsignor Thomas Francis D'Souza, who was previously the parish priest of Holy Spirit Church in Nandakhal, has been ordained as the Bishop of Vasai today at St Augustine's High School Ground in Vasai's Stella neighbourhood. While the appointment was announced by Pope Francis on November 9, the ordination ceremony held today saw devotees attend in large numbers. The 'Solemn Episcopal Ordination and Installation of Msgr. Thomas Francis D'Souza as the Bishop of Vasai' saw Oswald Cardinal Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay and principal consecrator, give D'Souza his blessings. The ceremony also saw Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, archbishop of Goa and Daman, and Archbishop Felix Machado, Bishop -Emeritus, Diocese of Vasai, and former bishop, whose retirement, led to the appointment of D'Souza, in attendance as co-consecrators. D'Souza was born into a farming family in Chulna village in Vasai, on March 23, 1970. He has deep roots in the local community and was also a student of St Augustine's High School. The Vasaikar began his journey to the priesthood with his ordination in April 1998 at St. Pius College in Goregaon. The Diocese of Vasai was formed and erected in 1998 by Pope John Paul II. Since then, Bishop Thomas Dabre held the position of the bishop from 1998 to 2009, and Archbishop Felix Machado held it from 2009 to June 2024. The patron saint of the diocese is Saint Gonsalo Garcia, who also hailed from Vasai.(With inputs from PTI)
15 December,2024 08:39 PM IST | Vasai | Nascimento PintoPeople are in for a celestial treat as a beautiful occurrence illuminates the sky on December 15. The last full moon of the year, also called the ‘Cold Moon’, will be seen today. It also happens to be the longest full moon of the year. According to NASA, the moon will appear full for about three days, from Friday evening through Monday morning, making this a full moon weekend. About Cold Moon The last full moon of the year is in December, thus it is called the Cold Moon, due to the long, cold nights. Other names are the Frost Moon (for the frosts as winter nears) or the Winter Moon. This is the closest full moon to the winter solstice, which is the shortest day and longest night of the year. Hence, it holds special significance. For Hindus, this full moon corresponds with Datta Jayanti, or Dattatreya Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Lord Dattatreya, the combined form of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The festival is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Margashirsha. Cold Moon 2024 date, time and where to watch The cold moon will be visible on Sunday, December 15 passing opposite the sun at 4:02 am EST (2:32 PM IST). As per NASA, in Washington, D.C. area, the moon will be in the sky for 16 hours 1 minute from December 14 (evening) to December 15 (morning) and will reach maximum altitude at 11:52 pm EST. The next night, December 15 (evening) into December 16 (morning), the full Moon will be in the sky slightly longer and will reach higher in the sky. The moon will be in the sky for a total of 16 hours 3 minutes and will reach a maximum altitude at 1:54 am. Currently, there are no reports indicating the visibility of the Cold Moon in India.
15 December,2024 01:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPunjabi music superstar Karan Aujla's highly anticipated ‘It Was All A Dream’ India tour reached fever pitch on December 13 with a completely sold-out show in Bengaluru. Over 20,000 fans packed Nice Grounds, creating an unforgettable atmosphere of energy and excitement. Presented by Team Innovation and supported by Live Nation, the concert showcased Aujla's undeniable stage presence and captivating vocals. The setlist, filled with fan favorites such as ‘Softly’, ‘Players’, ‘Tauba Tauba’, ‘Admirin You’ and ‘Winning Speech’, had the crowd singing and dancing throughout the night. Special guest and viral rapper Hanumankind joined Aujla on stage for a special mash-up of 'Big Dawgs', adding to the electrifying performance. Karan Aujla states, "I'm incredibly grateful for the incredible support in Bengaluru, and a huge thank you to Hanumankind for joining me. The connection with my fans is what makes this tour so special." Rishabh Talwar, business head, Team Innovation, states "The Bengaluru show was a resounding success! Karan's performance was electrifying, and the audience response was phenomenal. The 'It Was All a Dream' India tour is exceeding all expectations." The Bengaluru leg of the tour solidified Karan Aujla's position as a leading force in the Punjabi music industry and demonstrated the phenomenal success of his artistic aptitude The 8-city ‘It Was All A Dream’ India Tour is a celebration of Karan Aujla's journey from being a small-town artist to now, an international superstar. The title, inspired by his rise to fame, reflects the dreams he's had and how he's turned them into reality. This tour marks a significant step in his global mission to bring modern Punjabi music to a wider audience, having already broken ticket sales records in Canada, the UK, and New Zealand.
15 December,2024 12:06 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe much-awaited NH7 Weekender set to take place at Teerth Fields this weekend has been cancelled due to law and order restrictions, according to an official statement released by the festival organisers. The announcement came three hours after they had put out a story on Instagram stating, "UPDATE Unfortunately, the opening of gates to the festival has been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. We appreciate your patience, please stay tuned for further updates." The 15 edition was all set to take place with over 30 artists like international headliners like Jorja Smith and Indian favourites like Amit Trivedi, Usha Uthup, King and Kayan. The statement released on their social media reads, "We are extremely disheartened to inform you that nh7 weekender 2024 will no longer take place on 14th-15th December due to law and order restrictions in Pune. We are deeply saddened by this turn of events. Despite our best efforts to resolve the situation and having everything ready for the gates to open, it ultimately remained beyond our control. We assure all ticket holders that they will receive a refund via our ticketing partner, insider/district within 7-10 days. Detailed instructions for the refund process will be communicated in the coming days. We apologize for the inconvenience and deeply Appreciate your unwavering support. As we enter the 15th year of the festival, the weekender family means more to us than ever. Thank you for standing by us." Important announcement pic.twitter.com/180c9hKFXf — NH7 Weekender (@NH7) December 14, 2024
14 December,2024 04:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentReturning to Mumbai after six years, Canadian rock music icon Bryan Adams delivered an unforgettable high-octane concert at the NESCO Centre in Mumbai's Goregaon on December 13. In the city as a part of his massively successful 'So Happy It Hurts' India Tour, the evening began with a stellar performance by pop queen Vidya Vox who expertly prepared the enthusiastic crowd for the main show, building anticipation for the arrival of Adams. Bryan Adams has the reputation of being one the most exciting live musicians in the world. His energetic vocals and stage presence have proven to entertain for over 40 years. His songwriting has garnered him numerous awards and accolades including three Academy Award nominations, five Golden Globe nominations, a Grammy Award and 20 Juno Awards. And while the tour bears the name of Bryan’s latest 15th studio album, his set was a sheer celebration of his entire music career. The evening was not only musically exciting but also visually entertaining. It got better because of how Adams engaged the crowd in so many ways. They were featured many times singing and dancing along on the large video screen behind the band. The remote-controlled blimp car during the 'So Happy It Hurts' song was another highlight. Bryan Adams brought the audience to their feet during most of his songs with hard-hitting tunes and a lot of personal stories throughout the show. The performance from all four band members including lead guitarist Keith Scott, who has recorded and performed with Adams for 40 years, and even keyboardist Gary Breit for 20 years but now without drummer Pat Steward was with Adams in the beginning and is back touring with the band. All four provided backing vocals, and they are clearly a well-tuned machine. Adams played an incredible 24 songs, including some requested online by fans prior to the concert, and others requested in person using hand-made signs. From the opening chords of his latest work 'Kick Ass' to the anthemic finale of a solo acoustic rendition of 'All For Love', each performance was a masterclass in rock and roll, as the crowd filled the arena with their voices. The setlist showcased Adams' incredible musical range, encompassing older hits like 'Shine A Light', 'Here I Am', 'I Will Always Return', alongside newer releases such as 'So Happy It Hurts', 'Always Have (Always Will)'. His powerful vocals, combined with the impeccable musicianship of his long-time band, created an unforgettable experience for every attendee. Some of his most played songs were from his fourth studio album 'Reckless' that released in 1984 (Heaven, It’s Only Love, Run To You, Somebody, Summer Of 69, Straight From the Heart), and his compilation 2017 studio album 'Ultimate' (Please Forgive Me, Cuts Like A Knife, Cloud Number 9) and his sixth studio album 'Waking Up The Neighbours' (Can’t Stop This Thing We Started, Everything I Do (I Do It For You), You Belong To Me) that released in 1991. Crowd favourites from his other albums such as '18 ’til I Die' (The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You), 'Into the Fire' (Take Me Back, When The Night Comes), 'On a Day Like Today' (When You’re Gone; Back To You) were well populated within the setlist. Bryan Adams shared, "Mumbai's energy was electrifying. The crowd's passion for the music was contagious!" Deepak Chaudhary, founder, EVA Live shared, "The Bryan Adams concert in Mumbai exceeded all our sales projections, demonstrating a strong demand for international artists in the Indian market. Our goal was to create an unforgettable experience for the audience, and based on the overwhelmingly positive feedback, I believe we achieved that. We are committed to bringing more world-class entertainment to the city.” At the conclusion of the concert, crowds walked away from their seats with tears still in their eyes, portraying the excessive excitement and the rush of adrenaline in their bodies, marking the fourth leg of the 'So Happy It Hurts' India Tour.
14 December,2024 02:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
