Ustad Zakir Hussain conferred Alva's Virasat award

Moodabidre, Karnataka, Jan 4 (UNI) Renowned tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain was today conferred the Alva's Virasat award 2007 here.

The award, carrying a cash prize of Rs 10,000, a citation and a memento, was presented at the four-day annual Alva's Virasat 2007 cultural fest, which got off to a colourful start with Odissi exponent Sonal Mansingh inaugurating it.

Replying to the honour, the internationally famed artiste said he was nothing and whatever he was today was because of his fans, his friends and family members.

Earlier, he was escorted to the stage in a procession by Dr M Mohan Alva, the chief architect of the fest being organised for the last 11 years.

The Ustad enthralled the audience, including over 100 foreign music lovers, with his impeccable playing of the tabla for over two hours in a jugalbandhi along with Sultan Khan (Sarangi), flautist Shashank and Satish Kumar (Mridangam).

UNI