Written by Michael Polychronis
Zakir Hussain is no longer with us. One of the most renowned tabla players passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2024, in San Francisco, USA, from complications of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis – a chronic lung disease, his family announced.
Zakir Hussain was born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India. Coming from a family with a rich musical tradition, his father, Ustad Allah Rakha, was one of the most famous tabla teachers and a collaborator of the legendary musician Ravi Shankar. “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 communal bathrooms,” Hussain told Nasreen Munni Kabir.
From a very young age, Zakir began learning the tabla under the guidance of his father and other distinguished teachers, quickly demonstrating extraordinary talent.
At just seven years old, he made his first public performance as a musician. “It was a transformative experience that allowed me to absorb everything I had been hearing over the previous years,” he said to his biographer Nasreen Munni Kabir in 2018. His professional career began in his teenage years when he toured and collaborated with leading Indian musicians. By the age of 19, he was performing in over 150 concerts annually, both in India and abroad.
Zakir Hussain was renowned for his performances in traditional Indian classical music and his collaborations with artists across various genres. His career spanned several decades and included partnerships with leading musicians and composers such as Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, Shivkumar Sharma, Bela Fleck, Mickey Hart, Charles Lloyd, John McLaughlin, George Harrison, Billy Cobham, Yo-Yo Ma, Van Morrison, and dance groups like Alonzo King and Mark Morris.
His work as a percussionist and educator earned him global recognition. Widely acknowledged for his ability to blend traditional Indian music with Western and global styles, Zakir toured the world and participated in major festivals and concerts. His performances included collaborations with musicians from jazz, classical, world, and rock music.
Zakir Hussain was a founding member of the legendary music group Shakti (alongside John McLaughlin, L. Shankar, and others) and Remember Shakti, which innovatively merged Indian classical music with jazz and world music. His influence on the modern music scene is immeasurable, participating in numerous musical productions and philanthropic efforts.
In 1973, he co-founded Shakti with guitarist John McLaughlin, a group that combined Indian classical music with jazz and Western traditions, creating a new global sound.
Over five decades, Shakti evolved, featuring exceptional musicians 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. Zakir Hussain’s mastery of the tabla was crucial to Shakti’s success and the global appreciation of Indian rhythms.
Zakir Hussain received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music, both in India and globally. Some of his most notable accolades include:
- Padma Bhushan in 2002, one of India’s highest civilian honors.
- Legion of Honour from France for his contributions to music.
Beyond his personal career, Zakir Hussain was a dedicated educator. He taught and promoted Indian music through seminars, academies, and mentorship for young musicians.
In the last 20 years, he had stopped accompanying major artists, preferring to perform with younger musicians. As music historian Shailaja Khanna told the BBC, “He used his influence to push younger Indian musicians onto the international stage. Thanks to him, ticket prices reached 2000–5000 rupees ($25–35), which was unusual for classical music performances.”
His contributions to the music world and his enduring inspiration have left an indelible mark on generations of musicians and listeners. He influenced many musical traditions and advanced the composition and performance of the tabla into modern and contemporary sounds.
Zakir Hussain remains a symbol of India’s cultural and musical heritage, embodying both traditional and global music in the best possible way.
Zakir Hussain’s journey from a small child in India to one of the world’s greatest percussionists and composers is a story of dedication, exceptional technique, and an unrelenting quest for sound and rhythm. Through his musical collaborations and personal work, he shaped the landscape of Indian music globally, successfully bringing the traditional art of the tabla to new generations and audiences.
English guitarist John McLaughlin described him as “a king, in whose hands rhythm turned into magic.”
“We will remember him as a true genius who revolutionized Indian classical music. He also brought the tabla to the global stage, captivating millions with his unparalleled rhythm,” said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a post on X.
Congress member Rahul Gandhi stated that Hussain’s death was “a great loss for the world of music,” while the U.S. Embassy in India said, “He was a true maestro and will forever remain in our hearts.”
Sitar and tabla virtuoso Nayan Ghosh described the news as “devastating,” adding that his relationship with Zakir spanned 60 years, back to their childhood. “He was a pioneer, a revolutionary, an icon who placed the tabla and Indian music on the global map, transcending boundaries and inspiring generations of artists,” he told the BBC.
Hussain’s death marks the end of an era but leaves an indelible mark on global music. Kabir, who documented his life, aptly captured his essence: “His extraordinary playing and the extreme rigor he brought to his art made him a phenomenon.”
Zakir himself considered his musical career a matter of luck. “I am among those who appeared at a turning point of great change in the world of music and went with that wave, though I was fortunate to create a very serene relationship with the art of music.”
