"Music is music, not Indian or foreign": Starting at 7, Zakir Hussain's contribution to music for 60 years was invaluable
In the world of music, an unmatched beat of the Tabla has gone silent. Ustad Zakir Hussain of the Punjab Gharana, famous for playing the Tabla all over the world, died in a hospital in San Francisco, USA due to heart-related problems. At the age of 11, Zakir Hussain's fingers started moving on the Tabla in such a way that people became crazy about his playing.
Zakir Hussain was born on 9 March 1951 in Mumbai. He received his early education from St. Michael's School in Mahim, Mumbai. After this, he did his graduation from St. Xavier's College. He had a passion for music since childhood. His first album 'Living in the Material World' was released which gave him a lot of recognition.
Contributed to music for more than 60 years
Ustad Zakir Hussain was known as a brilliant artist all over the world. He has contributed to music for 60 years in the world of music. The percussionist composed music in various styles and genres, including jazz and concert in his repertoire. Zakir Hussain himself said about his musical art performance, "When I was growing up, my mindset was in sync with the idea that music is music, this is not Indian music or that music, so when I started working with non-Indian musicians it felt like a natural handshake."
First program at the age of seven
Ustad Zakir Hussain started his first program at the age of seven. He started touring around the world at the age of 12. At the age of only 12, he reached America to perform his first concert. His father Ustad Allah Rakha Qureshi was a famous Tabla player. Zakir Hussain also contributed to the Global Drum Project with Masters of Percussion, Planet Drum and Mickey.
Won three Grammy Awards in one night
Zakir Hussain's first guru was his father Allah Rakha. After this, he also learned tabla from Ustad Vilayat Hussain Khan and Ustad Latif Ahmed. Zakir Hussain himself said in an interview that even though he has earned crores of rupees due to tabla all over the world, the five rupees he got in the first program are still precious to him. Zakir Hussain started the band Shakti. In 2023, on February 4, he received three Grammy Awards in one night at the 66th Grammy Awards. He was the first Indian to do such a feat.
Padma Shri at the youngest age
Zakir Hussain was awarded the Padma Shri in 1988. He was the youngest youth to receive the Padma Shri. After this, he was honored with the Sangeet Natak Academy Award in 1990. His album Planet Drum received the Grammy Award. In 2002, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan. In 2006, he was awarded the Kalidas Samman and in 2009, his another album was awarded the Grammy Award. In 2023, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan.
The White House was also a fan of art
At the age of 12, Ustad Zakir Hussain went to America and performed. It is said that when he did not get a seat during a train journey, he used to sleep on the floor with the tabla in his lap. But he did not keep the tabla on the floor. In 2026, then US President Barack Obama invited him to the White House to participate in the All-Star Global Concert. He was the first Indian musician to receive this invitation.
Also acted in 12 films
Apart from being a great tabla player, Ustad Zakir Hussain was also an actor. He worked in 12 films. He started his acting career with the British film 'Heat and Dust' released in 1993. Actor Shashi Kapoor was also in this film. In 1998, he worked in the film Saaz. Shabana Azmi also worked in this film.
He expressed such views on music
Zakir Hussain was quoted in a conversation with author Nasreen Munni Kabir in her book "Zakir Hussain: A Life in Music". Zakir Hussain said that a private function, corporate event or weddings are not places "where music should be heard".