Ustad Zakir Hussain

Zakir Hussain was born in Mumbai in 1951, son of the great tabla master Ustad Allah Rakha — one of the most celebrated tabla players in the history of Indian classical music. He began performing publicly as a child and was giving solo concerts by his mid-teens. His training under his father was comprehensive: the full Punjab gharana tradition, the highest technical standards, and a natural musical intelligence that exceeded even those formidable foundations.

Through the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, Zakir Hussain established himself simultaneously in multiple musical worlds. He accompanied the great classical musicians — Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, Vilayat Khan — at the highest level, as an equal partner rather than merely an accompanist. He founded Shakti with guitarist John McLaughlin and became a founding figure of what would become world music. He collaborated with jazz musicians, Western classical composers, and folk musicians across five continents.

He won multiple Grammy Awards — including, in 2024, a Grammy for best global music album, making him one of the most decorated Indian musicians in history. He died in San Francisco in December 2024.

Zakir Hussain's contributions to Indian music are several and distinct. As an accompanist, he transformed the role of the tabla player in the classical duo — elevating it from supportive background presence to a fully engaged creative partner that enhances, complements, and extends the lead musician's performance. His tabla solos — whether in classical, semi-classical, or world music contexts — demonstrated the instrument's capacity for complete musical expression.

As a composer and collaborator, he created works that extended Indian classical music into new territories without compromising its essential character. His work with Shakti brought Indian classical percussion into dialogue with jazz and flamenco. His recording projects, particularly with Mickey Hart and other world percussionists, created new musical languages while maintaining deep connections to classical roots.

As a teacher and ambassador, he carried the tabla tradition to every continent and established it as a globally recognised instrument of musical sophistication.