Ustad Zakir Hussain’s life and legacy, with his humility, artistry, and deep connection to tradition, Will continue to inspire
It would be wrong to say that I – like many other admirers of Ustad Zakir Hussain – am not shocked and mourning the demise of the maestro on December 15, 2024. But while there are countless messages on social media from those who are offering their tributes and remembering the maestro’s greatness, it is a moment to also remember Zakir Hussain for his humility despite his multiple accolades and achievements. I must also convincingly add that it would further be wrong to say that the world of ‘taal’ and ‘rhythm’ fell silent on December 15, 2024, as Ustad Zakir Hussain breathed his last in San Francisco at 73, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy in the realm of music. For decades, his hands transformed the tabla from a classical Indian percussion instrument into a universal language, one that bridged the East and the West, traditional and contemporary, music and magic. It can, however, be said that while the ‘taals’ and ‘taranas’ seem momentarily muted, Zakir Hussain’s music continues to echo in the hearts of millions.
Born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, Zakir Hussain was the son of Ustad Alla Rakha, another tabla virtuoso. From a young age, Zakir was destined for greatness, showing an uncanny ability to master the intricacies of rhythm. His music wasn’t just a recital of beats – it was a dialogue, a dance, a spiritual experience. Even as a child prodigy, he bore the weight of his father’s towering legacy with grace, eventually shaping his own path and taking ‘tabla’ to a realm previously unimaginable.
Redefining the Tabla
Zakir Hussain revolutionised the art of tabla playing, elevating it from its conventional role as a supporting instrument to a soloist’s pride of place on the world stage. With a profound understanding of tradition and heritage, he seamlessly blended his technical virtuosity with creative improvisation, crafting performances that transcended genres and boundaries. His hands moved like poetry, crafting rhythmic patterns so intricate and yet so accessible that even the untrained ear could sense the brilliance of his craft.
His collaborations with artists across the globe are a testament to his genius. With guitarist John McLaughlin, he co-founded the band ‘Shakti’, a pioneering force in fusion music that blended Indian classical music with jazz and rock. His work with Mickey Hart of the ‘Grateful Dead’ in ‘Planet Drum’ brought Indian percussion to global prominence, winning a Grammy for Best World Music Album in 1992.
He had the remarkable ability to connect disparate musical traditions, forging symphonies that spoke to the universal spirit of humanity. Whether performing with Ravi Shankar in a sitar-tabla ‘jugalbandi’ or jamming with Yo-Yo Ma’s ‘Silk Road Ensemble’, he approached each with reverence and curiosity, breaking barriers without ever diluting the essence of the tabla.
What Parampara (Lineage) Meant for the Ustad
Despite his global persona, Zakir Hussain remained deeply rooted in Indian musical traditions. His performances were steeped in the wisdom of centuries, carrying forward the parampara (lineage) of the Punjab gharana while infusing it with his own innovations. He viewed the tabla as not just an instrument but a storyteller, capable of expressing every shade of human emotion – from the ecstatic to the meditative. His renditions of complex ‘talas’ (‘teental’, ‘jhaptal’, and ‘rupak tal’) revealed his mastery of rhythm and timing, yet what set him apart was his ability to infuse each beat with life and soul. Even as he experimented with cross-cultural sounds, Zakir Hussain never let the tabla lose its identity. He saw fusion as a dialogue rather than a compromise, where traditions could coexist and enrich one another.
In his lecture-demonstrations, Zakir Hussain often spoke about the spiritual dimension of music. For him, the tabla was a medium of devotion and transcendence, a way to connect with the divine. It is this depth of understanding that lent his performances an ethereal quality, leaving audiences spellbound.
A Lesson in Humility
Zakir Hussain’s fame was unparalleled, yet his humility remained his most endearing quality. Despite receiving countless accolades, including the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Kalidas Samman, the United States National Heritage Fellowship, and the Grammy Awards, he carried himself with the grace and simplicity of a true artist. He was equally at ease performing in the grandest concert halls of the world and in intimate ‘baithaks’ (gatherings). He often attributed his success to his gurus, his parents, and his fellow musicians, never once allowing his stature to overshadow his respect for the art form. “I am just a student,” he would say, even as the world hailed him as a master. He viewed music, like life, as a journey rather than a destination and won the love and admiration of millions of fans worldwide. His recordings, whether solo albums like Making Music or collaborations like Friday Night in San Francisco, remain timeless treasures.
Zakir Hussain’s artistry lies in his unparalleled ability to create magic through jugalbandis with luminaries of Indian classical music. His tabla became a dynamic companion, engaging in profound musical dialogues with Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia’s flute, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan’s sarod, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma’s santoor, L. Subramaniam’s violin, and Ustad Bismillah Khan’s shehnai. These collaborations celebrated the interplay of rhythm and melody, captivating audiences with performances that evoked joy, wonder, and reverence. Zakir Hussain also collaborated with maestros like Ustad Ali Akbar Khan (sarod), creating harmonies that bridged the spiritual and the artistic. In recent years, he extended his genius to a new generation, performing with Niladri Kumar (electric sitar), Rakesh Chaurasia (flute), and Kala Ramnath (violin), proving his tabla transcends time and tradition. These jugalbandis were not mere performances but soulful exchanges, transforming the stage into a realm of divine musical ecstasy.
Zakir Hussain’s tabla seamlessly complemented the soul-stirring renditions of legends like Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Kishori Amonkar, Pt. Birju Maharaj, and Pt. Rajan-Sajan Mishra. With Pandit Jasraj, his intricate rhythmic patterns enriched majestic ‘khayal’ performances, blending melody and rhythm to captivate audiences. Equally remarkable were his collaborations with Girija Devi, Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna, Pt. Ajoy Chakraborty, and Ustad Rashid Khan, where his tabla brought depth to ‘thumris’, ‘kritis’, and other ‘gayaki angs’, enhancing their emotive essence. With humility and brilliance, he elevated vocal accompaniment and the rhythmic artistry of ‘ghungroos’, setting unparalleled standards in the interplay of rhythm and melody.
Legends Never Die
And as we remember the legend, it was he who transformed the tabla into an instrument of infinite possibilities, inspiring countless musicians to explore its depths. His students, many of whom are now torchbearers of the art form, continue to carry forward his teachings, ensuring that the rhythms he created will never fade. In the words of the maestro himself: “Music is a prayer. It’s a conversation with the universe. It’s infinite, just like the spirit of the human soul.”
Wah Ustad… Wah… ! We will never miss saying this. Farewell.
— Rajdeep Pathak, Programme Executive, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti
