Ustad Alla Rakha, revered in the world of classical Indian music, was a legendary tabla virtuoso who elevated the status and technique of tabla playing to global acclaim. Born on April 29, 1919, as Allarakha Qureshi in the village of Phagwal in Jammu and Kashmir, India, he embarked on his journey in music as a young child. Transcending his rural roots, Alla Rakha's exceptional talent led him to study with revered gurus such as Mian Kader Baksh, ultimately becoming one of the most prominent exponents of the Punjab gharana (school of music).

He gained international acclaim through his collaboration with the celebrated sitar virtuoso Pandit Ravi Shankar, notably during the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival and the 1969 Woodstock Festival. This partnership was instrumental in introducing the rich tapestry of Indian classical music to Western audiences. Ustad Alla Rakha's technical brilliance, exuberant rhythms, and innovative compositions have inspired generations of percussionists. His discography includes seminal works such as "Indian Classical Instrumental - Best Of Raag: Taal" and "The Tree of Rhythm with Ustad Alla Rakha," alongside collaborative projects with numerous music greats. Alla Rakha's legacy endures not only through his recordings but also through the accomplished career of his son, the celebrated tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain. Ustad Alla Rakha passed away on February 3, 2000, but his influence on the world of music continues to be felt profoundly.

Genres

Hindustani Classical

Hindustani Instrumental

Indian Classical

Tabla

Related Artists

Zakir Hussain

Ravi Shankar

Anindo Chatterjee

Swapan Chaudhuri

Hariprasad Chaurasia

Bickram Ghosh

Anuradha Pal

Ali Akbar Khan

Fazal Qureshi

Yogesh Samsi

Kumar Bose

Soumik Datta

Latest Release

Tabla Solo in Jhaptal

Alla Rakha

Single - Released September 30, 2024