Zakir Hussain, some of the celebrated tabla virtuosos of all time, handed away on the age of 73 in San Francisco as a result of problems arising from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The information of his dying, confirmed by his household on Monday, has despatched waves of grief throughout the worldwide music group. His household’s assertion highlighted his extraordinary legacy, stating, “He leaves behind a rare legacy cherished by numerous music lovers across the globe, with an affect that can resonate for generations to come back.”
Zakir Hussain Hospitalisation
The 73-year-old US-based musician, had reportedly been having blood strain points, Hussain’s supervisor Nirmala Bachani stated in an announcement. “He has been admitted to a hospital in San Francisco for a heart-related drawback for the final two weeks,” Bachani stated.
Zakir Hussain Passes Away LIVE Updates
Amid reviews claiming that Hussain had died on Sunday, the household’s consultant Jon Bleicher clarified in an announcement to PTI, “Zakir is at the moment in a crucial situation following problems from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The reviews that he has handed are incorrect.”
His sister Khursheed informed PTI, “My brother is deeply unwell at the moment. We are asking all his followers round India and all over the world to wish for him, to wish for his well being. But as India’s best ever exports, don’t end him off simply but.”
Hussain’s publicist additionally confirmed to PTI that the percussionist is being handled on the San Francisco hospital and “has not handed”.
Aliment
Actor-singer Durga Jasraj, who had a dialog with Hussain’s spouse, solely informed ETimes, “I simply spoke to Zakir Bhai’s spouse. She stated the rationale for his ailment is fibrosis in his lungs, and he is extraordinarily weak. We have to simply pray for his journey again to the place he got here from.”
Zakir Hussain Personal Life
Born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, Zakir Hussain was the son of famend tabla maestro Ustad Alla Rakha. A baby prodigy, he started performing on the age of seven and rapidly rose to prominence and was extensively considered the best tabla participant of his technology.
He is survived by his spouse, Antonia Minnecola, daughters Anisa and Isabella Qureshi, and prolonged household, together with his brothers Taufiq and Fazal Qureshi and sister Khurshid Aulia. Known for his humility and allure, Hussain was as beloved for his character as for his unmatched musical expertise.
Zakir Hussain Education
Zakir Hussain had his early training from St. Michael’s School in Mahim and did his commencement from St Xavier’s College, each in Mumbai.
Early Days
During his early days, Zakir Hussain used to journey by prepare and if he couldn’t discover a seat, he would unfold newspapers on the ground and sleep. During such journeys, in order that nobody’s toes touched his tabla, he used to sleep with the musical devices in his lap.
Zakir Hussain First Performance
Zakir Hussain had recalled an incident when he was 12 years outdated. He had gone to a live performance together with his father. Music stalwarts like Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Bismillah Khan, Pandit Shanta Prasad and Pandit Kishan Maharaj have been additionally current at that live performance. Zakir Hussain went on stage together with his father and acquired 5 rupees for the efficiency.
“I’ve earned some huge cash in my life, however these 5 rupees have been essentially the most priceless,” the tabla maestro had stated.
Zakir Hussain Music Career
Zakir Hussain collaborated with almost all of India’s iconic performers, together with legends corresponding to Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, and Shivkumar Sharma. His groundbreaking partnerships with Western artists like Yo-Yo Ma, Charles Lloyd, Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Mickey Hart, George Harrison, and John McLaughlin launched Indian classical music to international audiences, cementing his standing as a real cultural ambassador.
Renowned for elevating the tabla to the standing of a virtuoso instrument, Hussain is extensively considered a chief architect of the modern world music motion. His unparalleled mastery of rhythm allowed him to traverse musical boundaries, fostering genuine connections between numerous genres.
He participated in quite a few historic collaborations, together with Shakti (which he co-founded with John McLaughlin and L. Shankar), Remember Shakti, Making Music, The Diga Rhythm Band, Planet Drum, Global Drum Project (with Mickey Hart), Tabla Beat Science, and Sangam (with Charles Lloyd and Eric Harland). His performances and recordings featured a rare vary of collaborators, from George Harrison and Yo-Yo Ma to Joe Henderson, Van Morrison, Pharoah Sanders, Billy Cobham, and the Kodo drummers.
Over a profession spanning six many years, Hussain labored with each Indian and worldwide luminaries, however his 1973 mission with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L. Shankar, and percussionist T.H. ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram was notably groundbreaking. It fused Indian classical music with components of jazz in a method beforehand unexplored, paving the best way for a brand new period of musical experimentation.
Beyond Music
In addition to his legendary profession as a tabla maestro, Zakir Hussain made important contributions as a composer, creating music for movies corresponding to Manto and Mr. and Mrs. Iyer. He additionally ventured into appearing, showing in notable movies like Merchant Ivory’s Heat and Dust, The Perfect Murder, and Saaz, the place he starred alongside Shabana Azmi.
In 1988, Hussain grew to become a family title because the face of the Taj Mahal Tea model. In a 33-second TV industrial, the ustad was proven immersed in his tabla riyaaz, solely to later sip on a cup of Taj tea. The voiceover, by the well-known Harish Bhimani, would then praise Hussain’s abilities saying “Wah Ustad, wah!”. To which, the percussionist would reply: “Arre huzoor, wah Taj boliye!”
The identical yr, Hussain additionally shared display screen house together with his father Allah Rakha within the iconic nationwide integration track “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara” which premiered on Doordarshan.
The ‘Sexiest Man’ Title
With his broad smile, boyish allure, and trademark curly locks swaying in rhythm together with his tabla, Zakir Hussain’s charisma prolonged far past his musical genius.
In 1994, he was voted the “sexiest man” by girls readers of the Indian journal Gentleman, outshining iconic contenders like Amitabh Bachchan.
Recalling the sudden win, Hussain shared, “The journal group got here to see me and wished me to put on all these fits, jackets, and Western garments for his or her cowl. I feel they have been as shocked as I used to be once I gained essentially the most votes—they’d assumed the winner can be Amitabh Bachchan,” as quoted by Kabir.
Awards gained by Zakir Hussain
Hussain’s illustrious profession was adorned with quite a few accolades, together with 4 Grammy Awards. In a historic achievement, he grew to become the primary Indian musician to win three Grammys on the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2024. He was recognised within the classes of Best Global Music Album (This Moment), Best Global Music Performance (Pashto), and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album (As We Speak).
Expressing his gratitude, he wrote on Instagram, “I’m overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of affection, affection, and blessings for my a number of Grammy wins. It is unattainable for me to individually reply to all of you, however be assured that you’re all in my coronary heart and I’m bowing to each one among you in thanks. It was an amazing day for India on the Grammys, and I’m proud to be carrying the nationwide flag.”
At the 2024 Grammys, Hussain’s This Moment with the fusion group Shakti—that includes British guitarist John McLaughlin, vocalist Shankar Mahadevan, violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan, and percussionist Selvaganesh Vinayakram—earned him his first award of the night. He later shared honours with flautist Rakesh Chaurasia, American banjo participant Béla Fleck, and bassist Edgar Meyer for his or her collaborative work.
Zakir Hussain Passes Away At 73, Takes Last Breath In US Hospital After Battling Heart Issues
