Shakti: Bridging The Gap Between Jazz, Progressive Rock and Indian Classical Music

The formation of Shakti is an important event in the history of music. It is probably one of the first true collaborations between the East and the West; one that would eventually influence entire genres.

Formed in 1974, Shakti was a collaboration between English guitar legend John Mclaughlin and Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, along with L. Shankar on Violin and Thetakudi Harihara Vinayakram (famously known as Vikku Vinayakram) on Ghatam (an earthen pot used as percussion).

The band further exemplified John's interest in Indian Classical music which he had expressed in his previous band The Mahavishnu Orchestra, becoming a fusion between both Indian Classical and Jazz while also merging Carnatic and Hindustani music traditions.

Shakti has had a massive impact on a wide variety of artists in India, from bands like Indian Ocean who popularized this style and brought it into the mainstream to artists like Talvin Singh and the Asian Dub Foundation who have reinvented Shakti’s music with Drum n bass and Electronica.

The band is still active as Remember Shakti with John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain, Shankar Mahadevan, Ganesh Rajagopalan, and V. Selvaganesh; and continues to inspire countless musicians and listeners.

Also read: The 'Wah-Taj' Effect: How Zakir Hussain and The Famous Taj Mahal AD Took Over India By The Storm