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Zakir Hussain, Grammy-winning tabla player and classical Indian composer, dies at 73

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Zakir Hussain, Grammy-winning tabla player and classical Indian composer, dies at 73

As a music enthusiast who has been captivated by the mesmerizing rhythms of Zakir Hussain for decades, I am deeply saddened by the news of his passing. His talent was not just extraordinary; it was transcendent, bridging the gap between Indian classical music and Western genres in a way that few others have managed to do.

Known globally for his expertise on the tabla and contributions to blending Indian classical music with Western tunes, the esteemed musician Zakir Hussain passed away at the age of 73.

On a Sunday afternoon in San Francisco, Hussain passed away due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an ongoing lung condition, as stated by his family.

Acclaimed as a “notable tabla virtuoso of his time,” it was shared that Hussain, during his extensive career, sought to merge different musical styles. In doing so, he earned recognition as a “key pioneer in the modern world music scene.

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Due to his hard work, Hussain has been bestowed with several prestigious awards such as the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, considered India’s highest honor for artists in the performing arts field, SFJazz’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Aga Khan Award, according to his family.

Earlier this year, Hussain became the first Indian to receive three Grammy Awards in one night.

The statement noted that he has left a remarkable musical heritage, deeply appreciated by millions of music enthusiasts worldwide, whose impact is destined to echo through future generations.

1951 saw the birth of Hussain on March 9th in Mumbai. He honed his tabla drumming talent under the tutelage of his father, Allarakha Khan, who was a regular accompanist for sitar maestro Ravi Shankar during the height of Shankar’s career, as per the Allarakha Foundation’s records.

At the tender age of 7, as reported by his family, Hussain commenced his studies under his father’s tutelage. This was subsequently confirmed by a representative for Hussain. Similar to his father, Hussain worked in collaboration with Shankar, along with several other renowned Indian musicians such as Ali Akbar Khan and Shivkumar Sharma.

Zakir Hussain, Grammy-winning tabla player and classical Indian composer, dies at 73

Obituaries

George Harrison, a member of The Beatles, was one of Ravi Shankar’s students, as he played a significant role in popularizing Indian music within the Western culture.

After moving to the United States in 1970, Hussain vastly expanded his musical network.

[Hussain’s] pioneering collaborations with Western artists made Indian classical music popular worldwide,” the family’s statement declared, thereby solidifying his role as a global cultural envoy.

In 1973, Hussain teamed up with renowned guitarist John McLughlin to establish the fusion band Shakti. Their collaborative efforts produced significant albums like “Shakti Featuring John McLaughlin” and “A Pinch of Beauty.

In a 2000 article for The Times, the late music critic Don Heckman described the collaborations between guitarist McLaughlin, tabla player Hussain, violinist L. Shankar, and ghatam (clay pot) percussionist T.H. Vinayakram as eye- and ear-opening experiences that broadened the musical horizons, going beyond the commonly accepted musical boundaries of the United States and Europe at the time.

As a true music enthusiast, I’m honored to call Mickey Hart of the legendary Grateful Dead one of my dearest friends and collaborators. Together, we’ve brought our musical talents to life on albums such as “Planet Drum” (1991) and “Global Drum Project” (2007). The latter was a particularly special project for me, as it earned me my very first Grammy award.

For more than five decades, Zakir Hussain was not just my brother, but also my most trusted partner and my most cherished friend. Throughout the years, we found ourselves in special places, spaces that only those deeply immersed in drumming could occupy. In a statement to The Times, he expressed this by saying that our lives were almost entirely consumed by drums. He further mentioned that for a period, we resided together on his ranch in California.

Zakir Hussain, Grammy-winning tabla player and classical Indian composer, dies at 73

Music

60 years after their formation in the San Francisco Bay Area, the innovative jam band is set to win a highly respected music industry accolade, marking a significant milestone in their career.

In his writing, Hart noted that Hussain’s understanding of rhythms from both the West and East was unparalleled. He possessed an exceptional ear for pitch and could recall even the most intricate rhythmic patterns effortlessly. His instruments produced a torrential downpour of sounds, with his nimble fingers dancing across small, tuned drums at breathtaking speeds, akin to a surgeon’s precision. Essentially, he would cast a captivating rhythmic spell with each finger at speeds that seemed almost impossible.

“The world will never be the same without him,” he wrote.

Over the past few years, I’ve been fortunate to serve as a resident educator at esteemed institutions like Princeton University and Stanford University. In 2015, I was honored with the title of Regents Lecturer at UC Berkeley, adding another prestigious milestone to my academic journey. My family proudly announced this accomplishment. Looking back, it all began in 1991 when I embarked on a creative venture by founding Moment Records, an independent record label that remains close to my heart.

Hussain is mourned by his spouse, Antonia Minnecola; his daughters Anisa Qureshi along with her husband Taylor Phillips and their child Zara, as well as Isabella Qureshi; his brothers Taufiq Qureshi and Fazal Qureshi; and his sister Khurshid Aulia. In simpler terms, Hussain’s family members who are still alive include his wife Antonia, daughters Anisa and Isabella, sons-in-law Taylor and unspecified, granddaughter Zara, brothers Taufiq and Fazal, and sister Khurshid.

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2024-12-17 03:02

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