Zakir on awards, his abba and more…
What does the Grammy mean to you?
(Taking a deep breath) It’s recognition for sure but I’d be equally honoured, maybe more, to bag a Padma Bhushan or a Padma Shri.
In India, we tend to give more importance to wins abroad — a Grammy or an Oscar — and that’s sad. I feel any award, whether a Padma, a Grammy, or an Oscar, is just a token of appreciation. But to say, “Wow, I’ve won a Grammy!” and make it seem like you’ve scaled a Himalayan peak doesn’t make sense to me.
It’s not an incentive then?
Oh, it definitely is. It’s such a joy to see the Indian flag fluttering in the bastion of the western music world. Three Indian musicians (AR Rahman, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Zakir Hussain) are in contention for a Grammy this year and that’s something that’s never happened before. (Continue reading the interview on Hindustantimes.com)