Ustad Zakir Hussain, the legendary tabla virtuoso whose artistry bridged continents and genres, passed away on December 15, 2024, at the age of 72 in San Francisco. Widely regarded as one of the foremost musicians of his generation, his death marks the end of an era in the world of music, but his profound influence will resonate forever.
Heat and Dust (1983)
Born on March 9, 1951 into a family of musical excellence, Zakir was the son of the legendary Ustad Allarakha, and he began his career at an astonishingly young age. A child prodigy, he performed his first professional concert at the age of twelve, accompanying some of India’s greatest classical musicians and dancers. By the time he was eighteen, he was already performing on international stages, his talent undeniable. He was the eldest of three brothers, each contributing to the rich legacy of Indian percussion, with his siblings Taufiq Qureshi and Fazal Qureshi becoming notable tabla players and percussionists in their own right.
Zakir’s brilliance was not confined to classical music alone. He was a trailblazer in the world music movement, collaborating with some of the greatest names in music across genres and borders. His collaborations with musicians like George Harrison, John McLaughlin, Van Morrison, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Mickey Hart expanded the horizons of the tabla, making it a global symbol of rhythmic artistry. He was a key member of the pioneering world fusion bands Shakti and Remember Shakti, pushing the boundaries of classical Indian music while embracing jazz, rock, and beyond. Through groundbreaking projects such as Planet Drum, Tabla Beat Science, Global Drum Project, and Sangam, Zakir redefined what the tabla could do on the world stage.
Saaz (1988)
A five-time Grammy Award winner, Zakir’s achievements in music were unparalleled. He made history at the 2024 Grammys by winning three awards in a single night, bringing his Grammy tally to five. His remarkable ability to seamlessly blend classical Indian rhythms with global sounds earned him numerous accolades, including the first-ever Grammy for Best World Music Album in 1992 for Planet Drum, and another in 2009 for Global Drum Project. His collaboration with Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer, and Rakesh Chaurasia in Pashto and As We Speak further cemented his place as a true innovator in world music.
Vanaprastham (1999)
Zakir’s contributions went beyond music. He brought the tabla to mainstream attention and made it a symbol of both virtuosity and cultural exchange. His work with the fusion band Shakti, which formed in 1973 and recently reformed in 2020, remains one of the most significant chapters in contemporary music. The band’s evolution, alongside John McLaughlin, L. Shankar, and other stalwarts, continues to inspire generations.
The Mystic Masseur (2001)
An accomplished composer, Zakir also found success in cinema, composing for Indian and international films. His notable soundtracks include Miss Beatty’s Children, In Custody, Saaz, Vanaprastham, and The Mystic Masseur. His acting talent was also recognized, with memorable roles in Heat and Dust (1983) and Saaz (1998). The plot of Heat and Dust follows two intertwined stories. The first is set in British India of the 1920s, and deals with an illicit affair between Olivia, the beautiful young wife of a British colonial official, and an Indian Nawab. The second, set in 1982, deals with Anne, Olivia’s great-niece, who travels to India hoping to find out about her great-aunt’s life, and while there, also has an affair with a married Indian man, Inder Lal. The maestro looked like a natural fit to the film and excelled even in the intimate scenes. In Saaz, he played a music director named Himaan Desai. The character, that of a maverick composer who dazzles with his virtuosity, was reportedly based on RD Burman. He was also the face of a famous tea brand for a long time. He has played tabla on the soundtracks of Francis Coppola’s Apocalypse Now, Bernardo Bertolucci’s Little Buddha, and other films.
In Custody (1993)
Zakir was showered with the highest honors and awards. He was bestowed with the Padma Shri in 1988, Padma Bhushan in 2002, and Padma Vibhushan in 2023 by the Government of India. In recognition of his immense contributions to music, he received the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1990, one of its youngest recipients. He was named an Old Dominion Fellow in 2005 by the Humanities Council at Princeton University. He was honored with the Kyoto Prize in 2022 for his significant contributions to the cultural and spiritual betterment of mankind. He was also a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from SFJazz in 2017, where he served as the resident artistic director from 2013 to 2016.
Miss Beatty’s Children (1992)
Though Ustad Zakir Hussain is no longer with us, his music will continue to inspire and uplift. His contributions to the world of tabla and global music have reshaped the artistic landscape, and his boundless creativity has left an indelible mark on the hearts of all who encountered his work. He was more than a musician—he was a cultural ambassador, a bridge between East and West, and a tireless seeker of harmony through sound.
At the 2024 Grammys
His journey may have ended, but the rhythm of his legacy will play on forever. And we’re sure heaven is savouring his beats…