Zakir and His Tabla

Book excerpt: Just a day and a half old, the very first words Zakir hears from his famous father, Allarakha, are bols -- rhythms played out on tablas! These rhythms sing and dance in his head, on Amma's cheeks, on pots and pans... The author follows these beats, stringing together little vignettes from his life. From a childhood around music to the highs of a performer who took the tabla to the world, this joyous story introduces children to a musical genius, whose busy f ingers and flying curls make him the inimitable Zakir Hussain. The illustrations add their own magic with f ine artistry and a subtle but striking use of colours. * A book about the internationally renowned musician, Zakir Hussain, by an award-winning author * A journey into his childhood and life in music * Exuberant and elegantly crafted pictures by an award-winning illustrator * A multicultural story about music and musicians