GRACE FOUNDATION CELEBRATES USTAD ZAKIR HUSSAIN’S 75TH BIRTHDAY with the Revival of Heartbeats – The Music Within

9 March 2026 | Ravindra Natya Mandir, Mumbai l 6.30 p.m.

GRACE – (Gunjaan Research, Art, Culture & Education) Foundation celebrates Ustad Zakir Hussain’s 75th birthday with the revival of the iconic concert experience, Heartbeats – The Music Within — a powerful musical concept that celebrates rhythm as the very pulse of life.

Conceptualised in 2008 by Shri Shashi Vyas, Heartbeats – The Music Within was inspired by a simple yet profound idea: the first sound every human being hears is a heartbeat. That primal rhythm becomes our earliest connection to life, emotion and sound, shaping our responses from calm reflection to heightened celebration. When Zakir bhai heard the concept, he immediately recognised its artistic depth and came on board with conviction. His involvement helped shape Heartbeats – The Music Within into a distinctive and widely appreciated concert experience.

Music mirrors this human experience. A slow, devotional melody can calm the pulse, while a vibrant crescendo builds energy and anticipation. Heartbeats – The Music Within brings this connection to life on stage. Through a seamless blend of vocal and instrumental performances, the concert creates a powerful interplay of melody and rhythm — offering audience an engaging and immersive musical journey

The original Heartbeats featured an extraordinary constellation of maestros, including Ustad Zakir Hussain, Shankar Mahadevan, V. Selvaganesh, U. Srinivas and Sivamani was staged across Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Kolkata to resounding acclaim and a runaway success.

Now, in 2026, the concept returns with renewed vision and fresh energy — honouring the spirit of the original while spotlighting the brilliance of India’s next generation of musical torchbearers.

The Heartbeats concert will be held on:

Monday, 9 March 2026

Main Auditorium, Ravindra Natya Mandir, Prabhadevi, Mumbai

Time: 6.30 p.m.

The revived edition will feature an electrifying line-up of young prodigious music talents:

• S. Akash – Flute
  • Mehtab Ali Niazi – Sitar
  • Siddhartha Belmannu – Vocal
  • Shikharnaad Qureshi – Drums
  • Swaminathan Selvaganesh – Kanjira
  • Ishaan Ghosh – Tabla

Each artiste brings a distinct musical voice, rooted in classical tradition yet expansive in imagination. Together, they promise an evening where rhythm flows across genres, generations, and emotional landscapes.

Heartbeats – The Music Within is more than a concert. It is a celebration of continuity — bridging legacy and youth, tradition and innovation, master and disciple. Most of all, it reminds us that rhythm is universal. It is life’s constant companion.

“Music is the language of the heartbeat — it speaks to us before we even know words. Reviving Heartbeats is our way of keeping that eternal conversation alive, and of honouring the masters who made music a gateway to the divine.” — Shri Shashi Vyas, Founder and Director, Pancham Nishad

As Grace Foundation celebrates Ustad Zakir Hussain’s 75th birthday, Heartbeats returns to honour the maestro’s lifelong dedication to rhythm — an evening that promises to move hearts, uplift spirits, and resonate long after the final note.

Grace Foundation Celebrating excellence, Preserving legacy, and Inspiring the future.

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Monday, 9 March 2026

Time: 6:30 PM

Venue: Ravindra Natya Mandir (Main Auditorium), Prabhadevi, Mumbai

Entry: By Invitation Only (Limited seats available – Registration required)

Registration (WhatsApp): 7045597505 / 97027 53234

Organised by: Grace Foundation (GRACE – Gunjaan Research, Art, Culture & Education)

Concept: Shri Shashi Vyas