Ustad Zakir Hussain: A Legacy That Transcends Time
The Tabla Maestro’s Legendary Journey Through Rhythm and Music The death of Ustad Zakir Hussain, a name synonymous with the tabla, who breathed his last at the age of 73 on December 15, 2024, in San Francisco, USA, marks the end of an era for Indian classical music and the global music community. A dazzling tabla player, composer, and cultural ambassador, his extraordinary talent and innovative contributions to music transcended the boundaries of tradition, leaving an indelible mark on the world stage. Zakir Hussain with his father Alla Rakha Born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, India, Zakir Hussain was immersed in the world of music from an early age. The eldest son of the legendary tabla maestro Ustad Alla Rakha, Hussain’s early exposure to rhythms and melodies shaped his prodigious skills. His father, a towering figure in Indian classical music, was a direct disciple of the great tabla guru Ustad Ahmed Jan Thirakwa. Zakir’s earliest performances were at the age of 12, where he sho...