Zakir Hussain, a renowned figure in the world of music, was born in Mumbai in 1951 into the Qureshi family. Growing up, he spent his early years praying at a Sufi shrine in Mahim. Remarkably, he had the ability to make his instrument produce the sound of Lord Shiva's conch. His music was incredibly versatile, transcending boundaries and genres.

His Musical Journey and Collaborations

When performing with legendary Indian classical artists, Zakir Hussain played with a mindful reverence, like an accompanist, only stepping into the limelight when given the cue to play an arpeggiated interlude. However, when jamming with international jazz musicians, he transformed into an unabashed rock star, driven not only by his genius but also by his charming good looks and flowing curls. He was trained by his father Alla Rakha. Musicians from earlier times recall how his father would carry the two-year-old on his shoulders. When his father said, "Jhaptal sunao", the child prodigy would flawlessly clap the 10-beat cycle and recite the bol or sounds. He attended St Michael's High School in Mahim, and throughout, his fingers were constantly tapping into the rigors of practice. He often shared how his father would wake him up early in the morning to teach and engage in conversations about great musicians of the past. These conversations became the foundation of the extraordinary duet of brilliance and humility that defined him. Artists of all ages describe him as perfection personified, both as a person and a musician. Sitar maestro Vilayat Khan once said, "Allah ne Zakir ko bahut sukoon se banaya hai (God made Zakir in a state of complete peaceful equilibrium)." Another great, sarangi master Sultan Khan, had stated, "You have to be 2 hours artiste, 22 hours a good human being, and that was Zakirbhai … There is no 'if' and 'but' before or after Zakir Hussain's name."

His Duet with Birju Maharaj

Once, while performing a duet with Birju Maharaj, the two artists were showcasing the nine emotions or moods of 'navarasa'. When displaying'shantarasa' or peace, the Kathak master walked to the stage center without making a single sound from his six-inch ghunghroo. Instead of trying to match that astonishing move, Zakir Hussain simply stood up in reverence, showing his respect and understanding of the moment.

The Battle with IPF

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the lung disease that claimed the life of tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, is one of the most challenging conditions to treat. There is currently no proven medication available. Specialists in Mumbai and Delhi, whom TOI spoke to, stated that two anti-fibrotic medications aimed at reducing scarred lung tissues are the mainstay of IPF treatment. Dr Priti Meshram, who heads the respiratory medicine department at Mumbai's JJ Hospital, said, "Most of our patients don't survive beyond three to four years after the diagnosis." One of the main issues with IPF in India is the delay in diagnosis.