Zakir Hussain, India’s renowned percussionist and world-famous tabla maestro, passed away at the age of 73 early Monday morning in San Francisco. His family revealed that he had been fighting idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Zakir Hussain, a trailblazer in modern world music, was born on March 9, 1951, to renowned tabla maestro Ustad Allah Rakha Khan and Bavi Begum. Following in his father’s footsteps, he brought the tabla to international acclaim, skillfully integrating it into various musical styles and collaborating with artists across the globe.
Music was a central part of Zakir Hussain’s life from a young age. Seeing his son’s talent, Allah Rakha started teaching him the mridang, a classical percussion instrument, when Zakir was just three. At seven, Zakir began formal tabla training with his father, often practicing through the night. A musical prodigy, he gave his first public performance at the age of 12, launching his extraordinary career in music.
Zakir completed his education at St. Michael’s High School in Mahim and graduated from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. Eager to broaden his musical knowledge, he moved to the United States, where he earned a doctorate in music from the University of Washington. During his time there, he delved into world music and refined his skills by performing in various musical concerts.
Fame of Zakir
Zakir Hussain’s illustrious career in music began in the early 1970s, when he debuted in the U.S. alongside Pandit Ravi Shankar. He later performed with George Harrison and formed the Indo-Jazz band Shakti with John McLaughlin. Over the years, he collaborated with numerous artists and contributed to groundbreaking music projects like Planet Drum, which won a Grammy. Hussain also composed music for prestigious events, including the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and India’s 60th Independence celebration. Recognized with awards such as the Padma Bhushan, Grammy, and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, he became a global ambassador for Indian classical music. In 2024, he made history as the first Indian to win three Grammys in one night. Throughout his career, Hussain balanced performing, composing, and teaching, serving as a visiting professor at Princeton and Stanford. His contributions have left an indelible mark on world music.
