During the Summer Vacation of 2025, Shri Nishikant Barodekar, Assistant Professor in the Department of Performing Arts, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, undertook an international Musical Homage Tour (14 May – 24 June 2025) in memory of his revered Guru, Ustad Zakir Hussain, whose sudden passing in December 2024 left an indelible void in the world of music.
A global icon, Ustad Zakir Hussain was celebrated for his unmatched mastery of the tabla, his deep contributions to Indian classical music, and his extraordinary ability to connect with audiences worldwide. In response to this loss, Shri Nishikant embarked on a deeply personal and spiritual journey to honour the memory and legacy of his Guru through music.
The Musical Homage Tour was conducted:
- Across 5 countries—Singapore, the Philippines, the United States of America, Canada, and Trinidad & Tobago—over a period of 6 weeks (14 May – 24 June 2025)
- Included 9 public concerts, 11 Satsang, and one comprehensive tabla workshop spanning 6 sessions.
The tour commenced in Singapore with a grand tribute concert on May 18, 2025, held at the One North Auditorium in Buona Vista. The event featured live performances by local artists, a powerful tabla solo by Shri Nishikant, and the screening of a short film capturing the life, art, and influence of Ustad Zakir Hussain. The concert was attended by around 350 people.
On the same day, a Satsang and musical offering were organised by the Singapore Sri Sathya Sai Centre, bringing together devotees in a spiritually charged atmosphere of bhajans and reflections.
In the United States, the first leg of the tour took Shri Nishikant to Austin, Texas, where a tribute concert was held on May 25, attended by approximately 100 guests. This was followed by a significant performance in Houston, Texas, on June 1, which drew a large gathering of nearly 400 people.
An additional event, titled Tabla & Beyond, was conducted on June 9 for a focused audience of scientists and doctors, introducing them to the therapeutic dimensions of rhythm and percussion. This session saw 80 participants engaging with the healing power of music through tabla.
The tour continued to Raleigh, North Carolina, where a tabla solo and an interview were held on June 16. This was followed by a satsang organised by the Raleigh Sri Sathya Sai Centre on June 17, with nearly 200 attendees. Both events allowed the audience to not only witness the artist’s technical brilliance but also to feel the devotional core that defined the tour.
The final leg of the tour brought Shri Nishikant to the Caribbean Islands, where a grand homage concert was conducted in Trinidad & Tobago on June 20, 2025. This event drew an audience of over 500 people and was one of the most impactful programs of the tour.
In recognition of the performance’s excellence and cultural depth, The Guardian (Trinidad and Tobago) published an article on 1 July 2025 titled “Tabla maestro headlines concert of Indian classical music”, highlighting Shri Nishikant’s role in bringing the rich legacy of Indian classical music to the Caribbean audience.
In addition to the concert, a 3-day tabla workshop was also held in Trinidad, comprising six intensive sessions. A total of 70 students participated, benefiting from Shri Nishikant’s rich experience and insights into both the technical and spiritual aspects of tabla.
In conclusion, the Musical Homage Tour was a journey of devotion, gratitude, and cultural outreach. It served not only as a tribute to a legendary Guru but also as a vehicle for sharing the timeless beauty of Indian classical music with diverse audiences across the globe. The tour stood as a testament to the deep bond between Guru and disciple, and to the power of music as a universal language of love, reverence, and transformation.
