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Ustad Zakir Hussain was born on March 9, 1951, and is known as one of the finest tabla players in the world. He was also a master percussionist, composer, and educator, he has taken the world of Indian classical music beyond the international level. Hussain has collaborated with global music legends, received prestigious awards like Grammy’s, the Padma Vibhusan, etc and contributed to the fusion of Indian classical music. In this blog, we will explore the life, career, and achievements of musician Ustad Zakir Hussain, with a detailed version of his early life, awards, and global contributions.
Table of Contents
Biography of Ustad Zakir Hussain in English
| Full Name | Zakir Hussain Allaraka Qureshi |
| Date of Birth | March 9, 1951 |
| Death Date | 15 December 2024 |
| Birthplace | Mumbai, India |
| Profession | Tabla player, Composer, Percussionist, Music Producer |
| Collaborations | Mickey Hart, Giovanni Hidalgo, Vikku Vinayakram, Shakti |
| Major Awards | Padma Shri (1988), Padma Bhushan (2002), Padma Vibhushan (2023) |
| Grammys | Four Grammys, including Best Contemporary World Music Album |
| Education | St. Michael’s High School, St. Xavier’s College |
| Spouse | Antonia Minnecola |
| Children | Anisa Qureshi, Isabella Qureshi |
| Famous Works | Global Drum Project, Planet Drum, Shakti, CrossCurrents |
| Books | Zakir Hussain: A Life in Music |
Early Life and Education of Ustad Zakir Hussain
Zakir Hussain Allaraka Qureshi also known and famous as Ustad Zakir Hussain was born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, India.
- His father, Ustad Alla Rakha, was a legendary tabla player himself and Zakir Hussain became his disciple as well.
- Hussain comes from a family of musicians. His brothers, Taufiq Qureshi and Fazal Qureshi, are also talented percussionists. Unfortunately, his brother Munawar passed away at a young age.
- Ustad Zakir Hussain married Antonia Minnecola, a Kathak dancer and his manager.
- Together, they have two daughters: Anisa Qureshi, a filmmaker and Isabella Qureshi.
Education of Musician Ustad Zakir Hussain
- Ustad Zakir Hussain attended St. Michael’s High School in Mahim and later graduated from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai.
- Despite the strong academic focus, his passion for music was evident from a very young age, and he began performing professionally by the time he was 12 years old.
- Under his father’s mentorship, Hussain mastered the tabla and began his journey towards international fame.
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Career Highlights of Ustad Zakir Hussain
Musician Ustad Zakir Hussain’s career started in 1963, and his contribution to the world of music is vast. He became well-known for his work in both classical Indian music and fusion genres, which again brought him into collaboration with global artists.
International Collaborations
Hussain has worked and collaborated with many notable international musicians such as:
- George Harrison (The Beatles): Contributed to the album Living in the Material World (1973).
- Mickey Hart (The Grateful Dead): Collaborated on the Grammy-winning Planet Drum album (1991).
- Earth, Wind & Fire: Performed on their album Powerlight (1983).
- Shakti: A fusion band blending Indian classical music with jazz music.
Ustad Zakir Hussain Grammy Awards and Global Recognition
Musician Ustad Zakir Hussain’s contributions have earned him five Grammy Awards, including the Best Contemporary World Music Album for Global Drum Project in 2009. His other Grammy wins include those from his collaboration in the albums Planet Drum and CrossCurrents. On 4th February 2024, he became the first Indian musician to win three Grammys in a single year.
| Grammy Awards | Year | Winner For |
| Best Global Music Performance | 2024 | Pashto |
| Best Contemporary Instrumental Album | 2024 | As We Speak |
| Best Instrumental Composition | 2024 | Motion |
| Best World Music Album | 1992 | Planet Drum |
| Best Contemporary World Music Album | 2009 | Global Drum Project |
Awards and Honors of the Legend
Ustad Zakir Hussain has received a host of national and international awards for his contribution to music. Here are some of the most prestigious awards and honours of musician Ustad Zakir Hussain:
| Award | Year | Category |
| Padma Shri | 1988 | For contribution to Indian classical music |
| Padma Bhushan | 2002 | One of India’s highest civilian honours |
| Padma Vibhushan | 2023 | India’s second-highest civilian award |
| Sangeet Natak Akademi Award | 1990 | Recognition for achievements in music |
| Grammy Awards | 1991, 2009, 2024 | Best World Music Album, Best Contemporary World Music Album |
| National Heritage Fellowship | 1999 | USA’s highest honor for traditional artists |
| Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship | 2018 | Lifetime achievement recognition |
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Famous Works and Legacy
Zakir Hussain’s influence in music is unparalleled. He is widely recognised as one of the finest percussionists in the world and has elevated the status of the tabla internationally. Nasreen Munni Kabir gathered 15 interviews over 2 years (2016-2017) to write the book “Zakir Hussain: A Life in Music”, published in 2018. The book explores Hussain’s early life, his musical training, and development. Some of the famous works and legacy of musician Ustad Zakir Hussain includes –
| Year | Album/Work | Collaborators/Details |
| 1970 | Evening Ragas | Vasant Rai |
| 1971 | Shanti | Solo |
| 1972 | Rolling Thunder | Mickey Hart |
| 1975 | Shakti | Shakti with John McLaughlin |
| 1976 | A Handful of Beauty | Shakti with John McLaughlin |
| 1976 | Diga | Diga Rhythm Band |
| 1991 | Maestro’s Choice Series One | Alla Rakha |
| 1991 | Planet Drum | Mickey Hart |
| 1991 | When Words Disappear | David Trasoff & Zakir Hussain |
| 1992 | The One and Only | Solo |
| 2004 | Live at Miles Davis Hall | Remember Shakti (8 July 2004) |
| 2004 | Raag Chandrakauns | Solo |
| 2006 | Soukha | V. Selvaganesh, John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain, Vikku, Shrinivas |
| 2007 | Global Drum Project | Mickey Hart, Zakir Hussain, Imran Hussain, Chandan Sharma, Sikiru Adepoju, Giovanni Hidalgo |
| 2009 | The Melody of Rhythm | Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain, Edgar Meyer |
| 2011 | Venu | Hariprasad Chaurasia, Zakir Hussain |
| 2020 | Is That So? | John McLaughlin, Shankar Mahadevan, Zakir Hussain |
| 2023 | As We Speak | Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Zakir Hussain, with Rakesh Chaurasia |
How did Zakir Hussain Died?
Zakir Hussain passed away due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a severe lung disease, at a hospital in San Francisco. Renowned for his artistry, he was a four-time Grammy winner and recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honor.
FAQs
The king of tabla is musician Ustad Zakir Hussain. He is also called the god of tabla.
Ustad Zakir Hussain is considered as great as he introduced the styles of fusion of jazz and world music to the Hindustani gharana. He changed the perspective of Indian rhythm scores.
Ustad Zakir Hussain had many mentors like – his father Ustad Allah Rakha, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, etc.
Zakir Hussain is a globally celebrated tabla virtuoso known for blending Indian classical music with global genres. A Padma Vibhushan awardee, he has mesmerized audiences worldwide, showcasing India’s rich musical heritage through his unparalleled performances.
Ustad Zakir Hussain is often regarded as a torchbearer of tabla, but the title “Father of Tabla” traditionally goes to Ustad Alla Rakha for popularizing it globally and modernizing its teaching.
Zakir Hussain’s incredible musical journey brought him fame and wealth. Reports suggest his net worth was around $1 million (Rs 8.48 crore). It is also estimated that he earned Rs 5–10 lakh per performance.
Zakir Hussain, the legendary tabla maestro, passed away due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease. He was in a San Francisco hospital at the time. His contributions to music earned him global recognition and numerous prestigious awards.
Zakir Hussain passed away on December 15 at the age of 73. His untimely death resulted due to complications in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Interesting Reads
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