Zakir Hussain, considered one of the greatest players of the tabla or Indian drums and known for his “dancing fingers”, has died.
Hussain, 73, died in a San Francisco hospital from complications of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis – a chronic lung disease, his family said in a statement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on the passing of the legendary tabla maestro, hailing him as “a true genius who revolutionized Indian classical music.”
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary tabla maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain Ji. He will be remembered as a true genius who revolutionized the world of Indian classical music. He also brought the tabla to the global stage, captivating millions with his unparalleled rhythm. Through this, he seamlessly blended Indian classical traditions with global music, thus becoming an icon of cultural unity.”
He added: “His iconic performances and soulful compositions will contribute to inspire generations of musicians and music lovers alike. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the global music community.”
Early Life and Musical Journey
Zakir Hussain was born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai. His father, Ustad Alla Rakha, was a legendary tabla maestro. Known for his collaborations with sitar virtuoso Pandit Ravi Shankar, Alla Rakha passed on his passion for rhythm to Zakir, who began learning music at a very young age. By the time he was three, Zakir was already playing the pakhawaj under his father’s guidance.
Zakir quickly rose to prominence, collaborating with nearly all of India’s iconic performers, including Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, and Shivkumar Sharma.
Zakir’s influence extended far beyond Indian classical music. His groundbreaking work with Western musicians such as Yo-Yo Ma, Charles Lloyd, Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Mickey Hart, George Harrison, and John McLaughlin brought Indian classical music to global audiences.
Zakir’s global recognition grew even further when he became part of the rhythm band Planet Drum, alongside Mickey Hart, Sikiru Adepoju, and Giovanni Hidalgo. In 1992, the group won a Grammy Award for Best World Music Album, followed by another Grammy in 2007 for their album Global Drum Project.
As a prolific composer, Zakir created concertos, scored films, and collaborated with dance companies such as Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet and The Mark Morris Dance Group. His first film score was for Heat and Dust (1983), produced by Ismail Merchant, starring Shashi Kapoor. This collaboration continued with other films like In Custody (1993) and The Mystic Masseur (2001), both featuring Om Puri.
Throughout his illustrious career, Zakir Hussain received numerous accolades. He earned two Grammy Awards with Mickey Hart for Planet Drum, and three more this year, including one with John McLaughlin and the band Shakti, and two for his collaborations with Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer, and Rakesh Chaurasia.
In India, Zakir was honored with the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023. He also received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, India’s highest honor for performing artists, and later the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, a lifetime distinction awarded to only 40 artists at any given time.
In the United States, Zakir was recognized with the National Heritage Fellowship, the nation’s highest honor in traditional arts and music. In 2017, he was honored with SFJazz’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his unparalleled contributions to the world of music.
In 2022, Zakir Hussain received the prestigious Aga Khan Award, celebrating his “enduring contributions to the musical heritage of humanity, peerless musical mastery, and sustained social impact.”
(With inputs from Reuters)
