Backstage Sessions: A Tribute to Ustad Zakir Hussain
Live Music · Indian Classical Music · Conversation & Performance
Backstage Sessions: A Tribute to Ustad Zakir Hussain
Experience an intimate evening with acclaimed tabla maestro Ustad Akram Khan, celebrating the artistry and legacy of Ustad Zakir Hussain through personal stories, conversation, musical demonstrations and live performance.
Drawing from his own experiences sharing the stage with Ustad Zakir Hussain, Ustad Akram Khan offers audiences a rare personal perspective on his music, artistry and legacy. A seventh-generation representative of the Ajrada Gharana with more than four decades on the international stage, Ustad Akram Khan brings a lifetime immersed in the tradition of tabla.
Joining him is B.C.-based Esraj and Taarshehnai artist Pavittar Singh Namdhari, bringing the soulful sound of the Esraj into dialogue with Ustad Akram Khan’s tabla.
Together, the artists will explore rhythm, improvisation and musical tradition before moving into live performance.
No prior knowledge of Indian classical music is needed. This is an invitation to come closer, hear the stories behind the music and experience two remarkable artists in an intimate setting.
We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Communities and Artists Shifting Culture (CASC) Cultural Project Grants Program for making this event possible.
About Backstage Sessions
Backstage Sessions by Raga Echoes Foundation brings audiences closer to exceptional artists and the creative worlds behind their music through intimate evenings of conversation, storytelling, musical exploration and live performance.
Go beyond the stage. Hear the stories. Experience the music differently.
About Ustad Akram Khan
Ustad Akram Khan is a seventh-generation representative of the Ajrada Gharana, one of India’s traditional schools of tabla. With more than four decades of experience, he has performed extensively as both a soloist and accompanist on international stages.
His career has included performances and collaborations with celebrated musicians including Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Vilayat Khan, Pandit Jasraj, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Pandit Birju Maharaj, Ustad Sultan Khan and Ustad Zakir Hussain, among others.
Deeply committed to preserving and passing forward the Ajrada tradition, Ustad Akram Khan continues its legacy through performance, teaching and international lecture-demonstrations.
About Pavittar Singh Namdhari
Pavittar Singh Namdhari began his musical journey at the age of five and took up the Esraj at sixteen, with the blessings of His Holiness Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji.
Having performed across India, he is now based in British Columbia, where he continues his musical journey through the Esraj, Taarshehnai, Indian classical music and Gurmat Sangeet.
For this special presentation, Pavittar Singh Namdhari joins Ustad Akram Khan on Esraj, adding its distinctive melodic voice to the evening’s musical exploration and performance.
What to Expect
- An intimate conversation with Ustad Akram Khan
- Personal stories and reflections on Ustad Zakir Hussain
- Insights into the tradition and lineage of the Ajrada Gharana
- Live tabla demonstrations and exploration of rhythm
- Stories of collaboration, improvisation and musical creativity
- The soulful sound of the Esraj, performed by Pavittar Singh Namdhari
- A live performance bringing tabla and Esraj together
Event Details
Presented by: Raga Echoes & Zameen Art Society
Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Time: 7:00 P.M. onwards
Artist: Ustad Akram Khan
Location: Zameen Art House, Granville Island · 1515 Anderson Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R5
About Raga Echoes Foundation
A Platform for Cross-Cultural Live Music. Raga Echoes Foundation is a British Columbia-based live music production company creating thoughtfully curated experiences rooted in music, culture, and storytelling.
Founded by partners in life and music, Aakash Mehta and Priya Joy, Raga Echoes creates meaningful, high-calibre stages that bring audiences closer to exceptional artists and their stories.
Creative Direction of Raga Echoes is led by Creative Director Glen D’Mello, whose background in performance and artistic direction brings a theatrical and immersive lens to each experience.
Raga Echoes is supported in its development by Nina Buddhdev – The Bandish Network (ACCA), who serves as Strategic & Artistic Development Advisor. Nina brings expertise in strategic direction, artistic development, industry positioning, partnerships, and relationship-building, supporting Raga Echoes as it continues to grow its artistic programming, profile, and reach.
Backstage Sessions by Raga Echoes extends this vision beyond the traditional concert, bringing audiences closer to the artist and the creative world behind the music. Raga Echoes gratefully acknowledges Zameen Art Society and Nina Buddhdev for their partnership and support in bringing this presentation to life.
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✉️ info@zameenarthouse.com
Live Music · Indian Classical Music · Conversation & Performance
Backstage Sessions: A Tribute to Ustad Zakir Hussain
Experience an intimate evening with acclaimed tabla maestro Ustad Akram Khan, celebrating the artistry and legacy of Ustad Zakir Hussain through personal stories, conversation, musical demonstrations and live performance.
Drawing from his own experiences sharing the stage with Ustad Zakir Hussain, Ustad Akram Khan offers audiences a rare personal perspective on his music, artistry and legacy. A seventh-generation representative of the Ajrada Gharana with more than four decades on the international stage, Ustad Akram Khan brings a lifetime immersed in the tradition of tabla.
Joining him is B.C.-based Esraj and Taarshehnai artist Pavittar Singh Namdhari, bringing the soulful sound of the Esraj into dialogue with Ustad Akram Khan’s tabla.
Together, the artists will explore rhythm, improvisation and musical tradition before moving into live performance.
No prior knowledge of Indian classical music is needed. This is an invitation to come closer, hear the stories behind the music and experience two remarkable artists in an intimate setting.
We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Communities and Artists Shifting Culture (CASC) Cultural Project Grants Program for making this event possible.
About Backstage Sessions
Backstage Sessions by Raga Echoes Foundation brings audiences closer to exceptional artists and the creative worlds behind their music through intimate evenings of conversation, storytelling, musical exploration and live performance.
Go beyond the stage. Hear the stories. Experience the music differently.
About Ustad Akram Khan
Ustad Akram Khan is a seventh-generation representative of the Ajrada Gharana, one of India’s traditional schools of tabla. With more than four decades of experience, he has performed extensively as both a soloist and accompanist on international stages.
His career has included performances and collaborations with celebrated musicians including Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Vilayat Khan, Pandit Jasraj, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Pandit Birju Maharaj, Ustad Sultan Khan and Ustad Zakir Hussain, among others.
Deeply committed to preserving and passing forward the Ajrada tradition, Ustad Akram Khan continues its legacy through performance, teaching and international lecture-demonstrations.
About Pavittar Singh Namdhari
Pavittar Singh Namdhari began his musical journey at the age of five and took up the Esraj at sixteen, with the blessings of His Holiness Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji.
Having performed across India, he is now based in British Columbia, where he continues his musical journey through the Esraj, Taarshehnai, Indian classical music and Gurmat Sangeet.
For this special presentation, Pavittar Singh Namdhari joins Ustad Akram Khan on Esraj, adding its distinctive melodic voice to the evening’s musical exploration and performance.
What to Expect
- An intimate conversation with Ustad Akram Khan
- Personal stories and reflections on Ustad Zakir Hussain
- Insights into the tradition and lineage of the Ajrada Gharana
- Live tabla demonstrations and exploration of rhythm
- Stories of collaboration, improvisation and musical creativity
- The soulful sound of the Esraj, performed by Pavittar Singh Namdhari
- A live performance bringing tabla and Esraj together
Event Details
Presented by: Raga Echoes & Zameen Art Society
Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Time: 7:00 P.M. onwards
Artist: Ustad Akram Khan
Location: Zameen Art House, Granville Island · 1515 Anderson Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R5
About Raga Echoes Foundation
A Platform for Cross-Cultural Live Music. Raga Echoes Foundation is a British Columbia-based live music production company creating thoughtfully curated experiences rooted in music, culture, and storytelling.
Founded by partners in life and music, Aakash Mehta and Priya Joy, Raga Echoes creates meaningful, high-calibre stages that bring audiences closer to exceptional artists and their stories.
Creative Direction of Raga Echoes is led by Creative Director Glen D’Mello, whose background in performance and artistic direction brings a theatrical and immersive lens to each experience.
Raga Echoes is supported in its development by Nina Buddhdev – The Bandish Network (ACCA), who serves as Strategic & Artistic Development Advisor. Nina brings expertise in strategic direction, artistic development, industry positioning, partnerships, and relationship-building, supporting Raga Echoes as it continues to grow its artistic programming, profile, and reach.
Backstage Sessions by Raga Echoes extends this vision beyond the traditional concert, bringing audiences closer to the artist and the creative world behind the music. Raga Echoes gratefully acknowledges Zameen Art Society and Nina Buddhdev for their partnership and support in bringing this presentation to life.