Tabla player Shariq Mustafa says that  Hindustani classical music is a spiritual way to connect with God. By Team Viva

Shariq Mustafa carries a stamp of Farukhabad gharana, which produce great  performers of Hindustani Classical music including his father Ustad Rashid Mustafa Thirakwa and the legendary Ustad Ahmad Jaan Thirakwa Khan.  He started obtaining informal training at his father's behest without having any plans to pursue his career in music. “I was initiated into Tabla playing at the tender age of four. There was also a desire to opt for administrative services at the back of my mind, but that suddenly took a backseat,, he says. Besides being inclined towards Classical, he is also passionate about fusion. He further says, “I am highly adaptable to change. Fusion challenges me to come out of my comfort zone. I would say in fusion there is no confusion”.

He has been the part of many fusion projects and has worked jointly with many great artists like Patsy Ried from Scotland. Apart from being an amazing solo percussionist, Shariq is the lead vocalist of Mystique Sufi, a band created a few years ago which plays instruments like the base guitar, electronic guitar, keyboard and percussion instruments like tabla, darbuka and drums. “I sing both Sufi Compositions by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and other Sufi Qawwals and Bollywood music in the band”, he adds. He is also well-versed in playing instruments like cajon, darbuka, and djembe.

Besides his father standing behind him, his mother has also been supportive throughout. He goes ahead saying, “My mother used to bribe me into learning tabla. She has been an excellent guru, apart from an amazing mother.

This nurturship has shaped his attitude for women He believes that  women is the strong pillar of society. And what more IJ He has  started working on his latest project called Tabla Naari, in which the focus is women.

Shariq Mustafa , who recently presented a solo performance at Ustad Ahmadjan Thirakwa Music Festival in the capital city, says, “There are many thought provoking questions which go on my mind before I get on stage for my performance. Everytime what happens on stage is  contrary to what I had planned. Music is not just about the performance,,it is beyond that. What I want is to see the smiling faces of my audience after watching my performance”, he smiles.