World famous tabla player and Padma Vibhushan Ustad Zakir Hussain passed away on Sunday. He was undergoing treatment in San Francisco, USA. Ustad Zakir Hussain breathed his last there.
Tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain was born on 9 March 1951 in the film city Mumbai. His mother’s name was Biwi Begum. Ustad Zakir Hussain’s father Ustad Allah Rakha Qureshi was also a famous tabla player.
Ustad Zakir Hussain was awarded the Padma Shri in 1988 and the Padma Bhushan in 2002 along with the Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India in 2023 for his unparalleled contribution to the art world. Along with this, he has also received three Grammy Awards.
Ustad Zakir gave his first concert in America at the age of just 11. In the year 1973, he launched his first album ‘Living in the Material World’. Ustad Zakir Hussain’s contribution will always be remembered in the world of music.
From his early training under the teaching of his father to performing on the world’s biggest stages, Zakir Hussain captivated audiences with his rhythmic mastery. Over his illustrious career spanning over five decades, he collaborated with legends across genres, including Pandit Ravi Shankar, John McLaughlin, and George Harrison, becoming a pioneer of fusion music.
Ustad Zakir Hussain was not only a musician but also a cultural ambassador, introducing Indian classical music to global audiences. His contributions earned him numerous accolades, including the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, among many international honours.
The maestro is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, and their two daughters. Ustad Zakir Hussain’s music will continue to echo in the hearts of his admirers, a timeless testament to his genius.
