Zakir Hussain, the renowned tabla virtuoso and global ambassador of Indian classical music, passed away at the age of 73. His life and work have left an indelible mark on the world of music, inspiring generations with his timeless rhythms.

The Rhythmic Maestro - Zakir Hussain's Global Impact

Early Beginnings and Musical Heritage

Zakir Hussain was born on 9 March 1951 in Mahim, Mumbai. He was the eldest son of Ustad Allarakha, one of the most iconic players of the tabla. From a young age, the sound of the tabla became his first language and earliest "words." By the age of 12, he was already performing globally, accompanying renowned musicians like Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan during his teenage years. This early exposure laid the foundation for his remarkable career.His journey from a child prodigy to an internationally celebrated percussionist was a masterclass in balancing tradition and innovation. Rooted in the Hindustani classical tradition, he possessed an insatiable curiosity that led him to explore other genres and collaborate with musicians from around the world.

Shakti and Cross-Genre Collaborations

In 1973, Hussain co-founded Shakti with guitarist John McLaughlin. This group fused Indian classical music with jazz and Western traditions, creating a new global sound. Over five decades, Shakti evolved, featuring luminaries like violinist L Shankar, percussionist Vikku Vinayakram, and mandolin maestro U Srinivas. Their first studio album in 46 years, This Moment, won the Grammy for Best Global Music Album in 2024, marking a fitting finale to their 50th-anniversary tour. Hussain's virtuosity on the tabla was crucial to Shakti's success and the global appreciation of Indian rhythms.His contributions extended far beyond Shakti. He was a key collaborator in Planet Drum and Global Drum Project with Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart, earning him Grammy Awards in 1991 and 2008. He also worked with banjo maestro Béla Fleck and bassist Edgar Meyer on the Grammy-winning As We Speak (2024), further cementing his status as a pioneer of cross-genre collaborations. He collaborated with musicians as diverse as Yo-Yo Ma, George Harrison, Van Morrison, and Billy Cobham, bringing Indian classical music to global audiences.

Innovation and Respecting Roots

His ventures like Tabla Beat Science, a fusion of Indian classical music with electronic and world music, and orchestral works such as Peshkar for the Symphony Orchestra of India showcased his unrelenting drive to innovate while respecting his roots. "The moment you think you're a maestro, you are distancing yourself from the others," Hussain told Rolling Stone India magazine earlier this year. This philosophy made him not only a consummate artist but also a lifelong learner and mentor.Hussain's flamboyance, speed, and precision of his performances earned him widespread admiration. The New York Times, in its review of a 2009 jazz performance at Carnegie Hall, described his artistry as embodying "an impish strain of virtuosity." "He's a fearsome technician but also a whimsical inventor, devoted to exuberant play. So he rarely seems overbearing, even when the blur of his fingers rivals the beat of a hummingbird's wings."

Global Acclaim and Indian Roots

His accolades are numerous. A recipient of the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, Hussain was also a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow in the United States. He delighted audiences at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and collaborated with jazz legends, Western classical orchestras, and Carnatic music maestros.Despite his global acclaim, Hussain remained deeply connected to his Indian roots. His early years in a modest chawl in Mahim shaped his values. "For the first three-and-a-half years of my life, we all lived in one room that had no toilet. We had to use the common toilets," Hussain told Nasreen Munni Kabir. Offstage, he was an avid reader and a fan of Isaac Asimov's Foundation series. He loved poetry, cricket, and tennis, counting Roger Federer among his heroes. His curiosity extended to biographies of musical greats like Ravi Shankar and Miles Davis, reflecting his hunger for stories that transcended boundaries. Hussain would also later say that his TV advert for a popular tea brand - Taj Mahal - "made me famous in India."In his final years, Hussain remained as active as ever, performing, mentoring, and composing. "Being a student and having a drive to learn keeps me going. The opportunity to get inspired by all the young musicians out there helps me revamp myself. Age doesn't affect my energy and drive," he said last year.