Pune | December 11, 2025 10:22 PM IST 2 min readUstad Zakir Hussain, the tabla great, is one of those special souls. In a personal tribute to the maestro, Pune-based photographer Sateesh Paknikar has created a calendar fittingly called ‘Taal Farishta’ (Angel of Rhythm). (File Photo)By Meenakshi JawaleSome artistes shine so brightly their light never fades. Ustad Zakir Hussain, the tabla great, is one of those special souls. In a personal tribute to the maestro, Pune-based photographer Sateesh Paknikar has created a calendar fittingly called ‘Taal Farishta’ (Angel of Rhythm).The calendar, released at the 71st Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Festival on Wednesday, is more than just a list of dates. It’s a treasured item, meant to keep the master’s spirit alive a year after he passed away on December 15, 2024. It is extra special because the Ustad would have turned 75 on March 9, 2026.The calendar features 12 evocative black and white photographs taken by Paknikar between 1985 and 2019. Choosing only black and white was a conscious decision, a way to remove distraction and focus on the deep emotion and lasting quality of the artiste. “Black and white pictures connect more and stay relevant forever,” Paknikar explained.Paknikar, who knew the Ustad well, shared that making the calendar was something he simply had to do. Adding a strong, emotional layer are the memories shared by 10 giants of classical music, including Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia and Ustad Amjad Ali Khan. These are not just words on paper; they are an exciting new feature. Each page has a QR code that, when scanned, lets the viewer hear and watch the full video of the artists talking about Hussain.“It’s a fresh experience… they will be looking at the calendar and at the same time watching Hariprasad ji or Amjad Ali Khan speak about Zakir Bhai,” Paknikar said.Paknikar’s memory of the Ustad’s never-ending energy is perhaps the best part. He remembered seeing him looking “just as fresh” at midnight after hours of playing as he did earlier that day—an energy that was infectious and one-of-a-kind.Story continues below this ad‘Taal Farishta’ is Paknikar’s way of making sure that the Ustad’s spirit continues to inspire every day. The calendar was released by Padma Shri Pt Ulhas Kashalkar and Padma Shri Suresh Talwalkar.Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd