Zakir Hussain: An acclaimed musician, he has been honored with multiple awards, including five Grammy Awards throughout his career, three of which he received at the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year.
Tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain passed away today in a hospital in the United States due to heart-related issues. He was 73.
His manager, Nirmala Bachani, shared that he had been admitted to a hospital in San Francisco.
Describing Zakir Hussain, the New York Times noted in 2009, “He’s a formidable technician with a playful spirit, making him seem approachable even while his fingers fly in a blur, matching the quickness of a hummingbird’s wings,” particularly highlighting his performance at Carnegie Hall.
Born in Bombay as the eldest son of the legendary tabla maestro Allah Rakha, Zakir Hussain forged his own path as a prominent figure in the world of music, both in India and internationally.
Reflecting on his early career, he recounted the story of his first gig, when an invitation came for his father. Zakir replied, saying his father could not perform, but he was available – not mentioning that he was just 13 years old. This clever move kickstarted his illustrious career.
In addition to his numerous accolades, he won five Grammy Awards, including three accolades at the recent 66th Grammy Awards.
Over a remarkable six-decade career, he collaborated with numerous prominent artists both in India and worldwide. Notably, his 1973 collaboration with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L Shankar, and percussionist TH ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram was pivotal in melding Indian classical music with jazz influences in a groundbreaking fusion.
This revered percussionist, one of the foremost classical musicians in India, received the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.
