Zakir Hussain, Shillong Chamber Choir to jam together

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain and Shillong Chamber Choir are set to share the stage together at a fund-raiser, organised by actor Rahul Bose's NGO The Foundation.

"I have known Rahul for 13 years ever since I scored the music for his debut feature, 'Everybody Says I'm Fine!'. He has kept me abreast of the work his Foundation has been doing," Hussain said in a statement.

"It is my pleasure to help in his efforts to give bright, deserving children from distant parts of this country a top class education. It is education that will bring the two Indias closer. I look forward to playing with the Shillong Chamber Choir. They are wonderfully talented and the evening should be one of a kind," he added.

Hussain and Shillong Chamber Choir will play live at Equation 2013 - A Fundraiser For Equality, March 1 at the Trident in Mumbai.

Members of the Shillong Chamber Choir, which won reality show "India's Got Talent" in 2010, feel privileged with the opportunity.

"When Rahul came to Shillong and asked us if we would play with Ustad Zakir Hussain, we replied it would be a double privilege. Every musician would consider it a privilege to play with the Ustad, but equally for us it is a privilege playing at a fundraiser for a non-profit organisation that does such rare and world-class work," said Neil Nongkynrih, director, Shillong Chamber Choir.

The hour-long recital will feature opera, Bollywood favourites, a tabla-piano jugalbandi, and a solo by the Zakir Hussain on three percussion instruments. Hussain will even sing at the event.

Led by Nongkynrih, the Choir will perform three new compositions for the first time.

"The Foundation must have done something right in its life to have such incredible people supporting it. Ustad Zakir Hussain has always been our friend - it is unbelievable but true that he has offered to perform free of cost," said Rahul.

"The Shillong Chamber Choir are new, but strong friends too. They have made India proud on the world stage and now will be playing with the greatest tabla-cum-percussionist player ever," he added.