Wednesday, 18 December 2024
Wednesday, 18 December 2024
The child who would shine: Zakir Hussain
Zakir Hussain, born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, was the son of tabla legend Alla Rakha.
A child prodigy, Zakir gave his first tabla performance at just seven and began touring by 12.
He studied at St Michael's High School in Mahim and graduated from St Xavier's College, Mumbai.
In 1970, Zakir moved to the United States, marking the start of his international music career.
He collaborated with iconic Indian musicians like Ravi Shankar, Shivkumar Sharma, and Ali Akbar Khan.
Zakir also worked western music legends such as cellist Yo-Yo Ma, George Harrison of The Beatles, and the funk group Earth, Wind & Fire.
His groundbreaking collaboration with John McLaughlin in 1973 led to the creation of the band Shakti.
Shakti fused Indian classical music and jazz, inspiring global audiences with its revolutionary sound.
Zakir’s father, the tabla maestro recalled, whispered a taal into his ears when he first held Zakir as a baby.
Shakti won a Grammy in 2024 for their album This Moment, celebrating their 50th anniversary.
Zakir Hussain received many honours, including the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.
Beyond music, Zakir’s storytelling through tabla introduced countless listeners to the depth of Indian cultural traditions.
