Shakti – the super group

Very few bands can actually be described as super groups. Shakti most definitely fitted this label. Easily one of the finest fusion bands of all times, Shakti had the best of both worlds. Fusion is defined as the merging of similar or different elements into a union. Shakti was just this. It’s similarity lay in the awe striking nature of it’s individual talents, while it’s difference embodied by the contrasting nature of their schools of learning.

You had the Miles Davis graduate McLaughlin from the Jazz school of music at one end of the spectrum coming face to face with the Indian Classical School. Even with the Indian Classical section we had the contrasting Northern and Southern Classical (Hindustani & Carnatic) musicians. The brilliance of the acoustic John McLaughlin coupled with the insaniy of Zakir Hussain, not to forget the one and only L. Shankar or the awe inspiring ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram.

Shakti had come into existence in 1975 after the McLaughlin led Mahavishnu Orchestra fell apart for the second time. John’s penchant for Indian Culture had led him to discover the world of Indian Classical Music at a young age. It was this fascination that shaped up into Shakti. The idea for Shakti actually sprung up three years earlier during jam session between John & Shankar, who was teaching at the same university where John was learning the Vina. This was also where the idea for the ‘Shakti’ guitar originated. 

Shakti began their career touring with Jazz-fusion greats Weather Report. Remember John had just disbanded the Mahavishnu orchestra due to strains in the band. During this period music commentators had discouraged John’s acoustic ventures as they were less commercially viable compared to electric bands. These taunts went unheeded as John continued touring extensively with Shakti. 
The band had(del) made base in New York from where they routed their busy schedule. In 1976 they released their first album Shakti with John McLaughlin Live - A live performance record a year earlier at South Hampton College. The three album jam delight had wizardry written all over it, with the audience’s cheers standing testament to that. The extended songs were right up John’s alley, as he was familiar with improvisational music due to his Jazz beginnings. Just as improvisation was an integral part of Jazz, so was Jugalbandi in the Indian Classical genre.

In 1977, Shakti released their first studio album A Handful of Beauty. By this time John’s virtuosity had reached heights few could fathom, mastering a genre few would dare venture into. Zakir, in his twenties at the time was at the edge of insanity with his partner in crime Ghatam guru Vinayakaram ‘Vikku’. But the band never got carried away with their technical prowess and rarely compromising on emotion or expressiveness. 

But alas, all good things must come to an end. By 1978, the band had exhausted themselves doing shows in Europe and America over the past two years. Vikku grew homesick and wanted to return home to his music school which also required his attention. The band released their last studio effort Natural Elements having saved their best for the last. The album could be ranked up there with the best albums of all time, a source of enlightenment and inspiration for musicians and music lovers. 

Finally in 1978 the band split ways. Vikku headed back home to take care of his responsibilities. L. Shankar worked with John on few more albums before experimenting with Pop music and later sharing his talents with the late great Frank Zappa. Zakir continued his association with John in future endeavours such as Remember Shakti. 

In a short span of three years, Shakti showed the world the power of music when accompanied with hard work, dedication and creativity. And even 30 years later, the work they did in 3 years still continues to be the cutting edge of music, inspiring awe and and the cathartic joy that only real, heartfelt music can.