Loksatta, December 14 2019, Pune, India
The meaning of the above Sanskrit Sloka is as follows:
“O Narad, I (god) reside there, where my devotees sing”
“The third flower was woven by Pandit Ken Zuckerman. He is one of the senior disciples of Sarod Player Ali Akbar Khan. The original name of the Sarod was ‘Swarodaya’ meaning – an instrument from which the swar rises. Ken is an accomplished legacy holder of the Maihar Gharana. He presented his Guru Ustad Ali Akbar Khan’s composition, a Gat in Raag Chandranandan. The beauty of the alaap was indescribable. It is believed that this Rag came from a fusion of raagas Jogkauns and Nandakauns. Using the Vilambit Teental, this artist’s beautiful creations were apparent in the recital. Ken followed up with a Gat in Gorakh kalyan set in Rupak Tala and then in Teentala. Ramdas Palsule’s expert tabla rendition gilded each swara beautifully. With his recital, this great Tapasvi (devotee, seeker), of music created an extremely joyful, peaceful ambience. It is the connoisseurs’ good fortune that they were able to listen to such a performance.”
“Sarod maestro Ken Zuckerman from Switzerland, gave justice to the raga Chandranandan, conceived by his guru Ali Akbar Khan, combining Jogkauns and Nandkauns, with his delicate and thoughtful handling. He never transgressed from its emotive appeal. Even raga Gorakh Kalyan that followed was handled with great dexterity, underlining his status as the foremost torch bearer of the Ali Akbar style.” Amit Karmarkar, The Times of India, December 14, 2019. Photo: Shyam Sonar, The Times of India
A complete mastery over the instrument, pure raag structure and note sustenance are the great qualities of this artiste.
…a simply magnificent and extraordinary concert.
…he has risen from a mere curious foreigner interested in fathoming the secrets of the exotic East and its equally exotic musical fare, to being one of the foremost performers of the art.
Here was a master who had fully harnessed the power of the sarod – the finest of sarod players outside India – an American now living in Switzerland. After a standing ovation and an encore, Ken treated us to yet another enlightening and delightful raag. It was pure magic.
Ali Akbar’s skill in the hands of a foreigner – It was also especially remarkable that in his Koushi Kanara there was the presence of the pure Ali Akbar mood. His control over the rag was an indication of good learning. Likewise, the deep musical sentiment that was there in his vistara of the padas in the alap is the proof of a class artist.
Ken showed an authentic grasp over the subtleties of the Maihar gharana, sustaining the dhrupadi characteristics of the school. He played Chhayanat and established the imageries of the “raagrup” and then captured both the lively and sombre moods of the following item.
He commenced his solo sarod playing with rag Madhuvanti in which he played alap, jod, jhala and gat, and kept the audience spellbound by exhibiting his command over the sarod and made the raga more sweet and delicious through his distinguished style.
The torch-bearer of Maihar gharana, Ken, in his presentation of Kaushi-Kanada, unravelled the nostalgic pathos of the raga through alap, jor, gat in trital, extensive meends, outstanding ghasits, gamak, rhythmic variations in both Masidkhani and drut gat along with jhala and clear tankari.
…when Zuckerman launched a duet with Estevan, the sarod and percussion reaffirmed a shining truth – music dissolves national borders in a way that treaties cannot.
Zuckermans’ inovative approach of playing uncommon taals and stroke improvisations are the special gifts of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan to him. Well done, Mr. Zuckerman: looking forward to hear your next concert in London. Thnaks to you and Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri, the maestro tabla player.” Kalavati, April 16th, 1996
Ken has assimilated within himself the very soul of Ali Akbar’s artistry
…the music of the maestro flows in his veins…
The final effect that emerged was simply grand in its impact.
Both the alaaps and gaths were wonderfully played, clear, bold, correct and full of feeling. Bravo American sahib!
