O.P.Sharma
One of the Dogras, born in Paghwal village of Samba district in Jammu region, who rose to the horizon of music and the Indian cine world through his super performance on the Tabla, was Ustad Alla Rakha Khan. He was a tabla maestro who lent magical sound of this musical instrument in numerous films and added charm to the tunes of the songs by top music directors and famed singers. His eldest son Zakir Hussain is also a distinguished tabla player in the film industry, exemplifying that he is an illustrious son of tabla wizard Ustad Alla Rakha .
The success story of Allah Rakha Khan is both interesting as well as instructive to the extent of inspiration for the youngsters of our times.
Alla Rakha Quershi was born on April 29, 1919 at Paghwal village of Samba district in Jammu region. At the age of 12 years, Alla Rakha used to be fascinated by the sound of tabla and was deeply involved with this musical instrument.
Fondness for Tabla
Later on, he became the disciple of Miyan Kadar Baksh of Punjab Gharana who initiated him into the world of music. Subsequently, he learnt Raag Vidya from Ustad Ashiq Ali Khan and started his career as staffer in All India Radio, Mumbai in 1940, playing the stations first ever tabla solo and elevating this musical instrument’s position in the process. He simultaneously composed for a couple of Hindi films between 1943 and 1948.
In 1958, Alla Rakha made his first international stage appearance in Japan along with Pandit Ravi Shanker, their jugalbandi created a rare blend of music and earned international fame. It was during this period when foreigners took an instant liking for the Indian music.
Master Musician
In Mumbai he used to teach the students on the finer aspects of tabla at his ” Ustad Allah Rakha Khan Institute of Music” at shivaji Park. Among his acclaimed disciples are all his three sons, Tabla Wizard Zakir Husain, Fazal Quereshi and Taufiq Quereshi and also Mickhart, a U.S. based drummer of international fame.
Ustad Allah Rakha Khan was honoured with the Padam Shree in 1977 and was also recipient of Sangeet Natak Academy Award. He felicitated Pt. Jasraj on his 70th birthday at Shanmukhananda Hall in Central Mumbai.
Matchless Achievements
The people in Jammu and Kashmir had great pride in this highly accomplished instrumental musician Alla Rakha. The people of Jammu still cherish the memory of a delightful performance by Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma, Santoor Maestro and Alla Rakha , Tabla wizard at Abhinav theatre, Jammu, quite some time back. Speaking on the occasion, Alla Rakha recalled the thunderous applaud both of them received in the United States of America for their music concert in that country and said that it was bound to get such appreciation because “two Dogra music artists were performing”.
Alla Rakha died of heart attack on February 3, 2000 at his Shimla House residence in Mumbai just within 24 hours of the death of his daughter, Razia. But Alla Rakha is still fondly remembered by thousands of people and admirers for his contribution to the table art music.
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