Born as Zakir Allaraka Qureshi later gained recognition as Ustad Zakir Hussain, A very well-known face with his unique style when he said “Wah Taj” in an advertisement for a very popular tea company is no more. Ustaad Zakir Hussain was a legend in India- tabla player, composer, percussionist, music producer and film actor.
His unparalleled contributions to Indian classical music, fusion genres, and global collaborations have concreted his legacy as one of the most influential artists worldwide acclaiming several prestigious awards and pride to India.
Zakir Hussain’s Early life and Education
Born on March 9,1951 in Mumbai, India as son of tabla maestro Ustad Alla Rakha. He was groomed under his father’s guidance at a very young age.
He was just seven when he started playing the tabla and, at twelve, already gave his first concerts showcasing his prodigious talent.
He pursued his education at St. Michael’s High School and later graduated from St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai. Hussain also earned a doctorate in music from the University of Washington.
Zakir Hussain’s Professional achievements
Ustad Zakir Hussain collaborated and performed with many legendary Indian classical musicians such as Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, and others.
He played a pivotal role in popularizing tabla internationally. Ustad Zakir Hussain took tabla to new heights by working with internationally acclaimed musicians such as John McLaughlin (Shakti), Mickey Hart (Planet Drum), and others.
In 1970 he did around 150 concerts in the US which earned him a lot of recognition. His fresh approach to music led him to collaborate with many different musicians from multiple genres and styles, jazz and world music.
In 1991, he collaborated with drummer Mickey Hart on the album Planet Drum, which won a Grammy Award. He has received multiple Grammy nominations throughout his career and won several awards, including three Grammys in February 2024.
Hussain was also involved in composing music for significant events, such as the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Atlanta in 1996.
Zakir Hussain’s Awards and Recognition
Ustad Zakir Hussain has been rewarded with a long list of prestigious awards:
Padma Vibhushan-2023
Padma Bhushan– 2002
Padma Shri– 1998,1988
Ustad Zakir Hussain has won five Grammy’s Awards, including three in a single night at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2024, making him the first Indian musician to achieve this feat. The awards included:
Grammy’s Award for Best Global Music Performance-2024 for Pashto
Grammy’s Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album-2024 for As we Speak
Grammy’s Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album-2009
National Heritage Fellowship-1999
GIMA Award for Best Hindustani Classical Album – Instrumental-2014
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Hindustani Music – Instrumental (Tabla)-1990
His immense contributions to film music, fusion projects, and experimental works are admirable.
He is a Founder of Tabla Beat Science and his role in innovating Indian percussion.
Zakir Hussain’s Personal life
Balancing his family life with a demanding career, he was fortunate to be married to Antonia Minnecola, a dancer and teacher of Kathak and his manager. They have two daughters: Anisa Qureshi, a filmmaker, and Isabella Qureshi.
He believed in humility despite his immense success and recognition in the entire world.
He worked in the direction to blend tradition with modernity to bring global unity of music.
Zakir Hussain’s Legacy and Influence
He was considered as the cultural ambassador of India who brought Indian Classical music especially Tabla to global audience.
Through his collaborations and solo performances, he broke cultural and musical barriers, introducing the richness of Indian rhythms to diverse genres like jazz, fusion, and world music.
Ustaad Zakir Hussain will have a profound influence on musicians of future generations and will remain a source of inspiration for all. His unique style—marked by lightning-fast fingers, intricate rhythmic patterns, and deep emotional expressions—has become a gold standard for aspiring percussionists.
His collaborations with global artists like John McLaughlin, Herbie Hancock, and Mickey Hart have created iconic fusion projects (e.g., Shakti, Planet Drum) that blend Indian classical music with jazz, rock, and African rhythms.
His performances and recordings serve as a musical heritage for generations to come, helping them to connect traditional music with contemporary music.
Ustad Zakir Hussain’s Cause Of Death
Ustad Zakir Hussain took his last breath at the age of 73 in San Fransisco, California, United States where he succumbed to a lung disease known as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Conclusion
Ustaad Zakir Hussain’s life and career are a witness to the limitless possibilities of music as an art form, a discipline, and a unifying force. His incomparable supremacy of the tabla has not only elevated the instrument’s global recognition but also anchored his place as one of the most influential musicians of our time.
Through decades of dedication, Zakir Hussain has bridged the gap between tradition and innovation, seamlessly blending the ancient rhythms of Indian classical music with the experimental sounds of world music. His collaborations with international legends like John McLaughlin, Herbie Hancock, and Mickey Hart have showcased the universality of rhythm, while his work within Indian classical traditions has preserved and advanced the tabla’s rich heritage.
Yet, what truly sets Ustaad Zakir Hussain apart is his humility and approachability. Despite his towering achievements—Grammy Awards, Padma Bhushan honors, and performances at the world’s most prestigious venues—he remains deeply connected to his roots. His reverence for his father and guru, Ustad Alla Rakha, and his commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians demonstrate his dedication to keeping the tradition alive.
Zakir Hussain’s enduring legacy extends beyond his music. He is a symbol of cultural harmony, a torchbearer of Indian heritage, and an advocate for global unity through art. His life’s work reminds us that music, like love and empathy, knows no boundaries. It transcends languages, cultures, and ideologies, touching the hearts of people worldwide.
As he continues to inspire audiences with his breathtaking performances and soul-stirring rhythms, Ustaad Zakir Hussain stands as a beacon of artistic excellence and humanity. He is not just a maestro of the tabla but also a storyteller, a cultural ambassador, and a source of inspiration for generations to come. His journey affirms the timeless adage: music is the universal language of mankind.
