Ahmedabadis know who they have come to listen to. They are really knowledgeable: Ustad Zakir Hussain

Ustad Zakir Hussain has fond memories of performing in Ahmedabad as he find the audience in Gujarat "one of the most creatively discrening" ones. The tabla maestro was in the city for a performance as part of several concerts he has been traveling for as part of ode to his legendary father Ustad Allah Rakha on his 100th birth anniversary year. His Ahmedabad schedule was hectic.On a cool December evening, we met him at the Amphitheater where he was checking the sound just before the performance. In between giving instructions to the sound team and enjoying a cup of chai, the tabla maestro shared that he began learning music when he was “just a month old” and how he continues to be an avid student of music as “music is an ocean that can never be conquered,” the joy of performing in Ahmedabad and his purely spiritual connect with music.
Talking about his experience of performing in Gujarat, Zakir Hussain says, "Ahmedabad is one of the most artistically discerning cities when it comes to music. There is this misconception that Gujaratis are only into business, but what most people don’t know is that Gujarat has a very rich culture and art has a very important place in it. The cultural history of Gujarat, especially the heritage structures show how art and nature are intrinsic parts of life here. I have performed in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat and Rajkot and the audience has always been very knowledgeable (about music). They know who they have come to listen to and their knowledge about the artiste and his craft deserves appreciation."