Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, who passed away on Monday morning at a San Francisco hospital, has left behind a rich musical legacy that not only cemented his place as one of the most celebrated artistes in the history of Indian and global music, but also created an inspirational path for aspiring musicians to follow. From starting his journey at a young age to performing on global stages, from creating magic on tabla to collaborating with renowned names, the legendary musician's life and work boasts of several memorable moments. As the world mourns the loss of a shining star, here are some rare and unseen pictures that provide a glimpse into his family life and work.
Updated On: 2024-12-16 03:29 PM IST
Compiled by : Raaina Jain
Young Zakir Hussain with his father Ustad Alla Rakha (Pic: Instagram/@zakirhq9)
His father, a legendary musician, was his first guru and taught him how to play tabla. Sharing this picture on Instagram, Hussain had written, "At the feet of my guru, my father and Abbaji to the whole world of Tabla..."
Zakir Hussain with his wife Antonia Minnecola, a Kathak dancer (Pic: Instagram/@zakirhq9)
Hussain tied the knot in 1978. Minnecola is an Italian-American Kathak dancer and teacher, who was also the tabla maestro's manager then.
Zakir Hussain with his daughter Anisa Qureshi (Pic: Instagram/@zakirhq9)
Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi are Hussain and Minnecola's daughters.
Zakir Hussain with Kathak legend Pandit Birju Maharaj (Pic: Instagram/@zakirhq9)
Hussain grew up surrounded by legends of Indian classical music and dance. Expressing his emotions after Birju Maharaj passed away, he had written, "Nupur has lost its voice, rhythm cries, bhava weeps as BIRJU MAHARAJ ascends to Dev Asthan."
Tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain (L), mandolin player U.Srinivas (2nd L), guitarist John McLaughlin (2nd R) and kanjira player V.Selvaganesh perform at a concert in Bangalore 30 January 2003 (Pics: AFP)
United Kingdom's ace fusion and Jazz guitarist John McLaughlin (R) and Ustad Zakir Hussain (L) smile at the Mumbai festival venue at the Gateway of India in Bombay, 20 January 2005
Zakir Hussain performs with reed player Charles Lloyd and drummer Eric Harland on 7 August, 2011 on the main stage in Newport, Rhode Island during the 2011 Newport Jazz Festival
Indian Bollywood ghazal and playback singer Hariharan (L), tabla virtuoso, composer Zakir Hussain (C) and music composer and singer Shankar Mahadevan pose during the 'King In Concert' musical event organised by Nagrik Shikshan Sanstha (NSS) academy in Mumbai on January 5, 2012
Zakir Hussain (C) poses in vineyards with his band on July 19, 2012 in Saint-Émilion, western France
Ustad Zakir Hussain (L) and Ustad Srinivas on mandolin perform a jugalbandi on the eve of 'Homage to Abbaji ', 13th Barsi of late tabla maestro Ustad Alla Rakha in Mumbai on February 3, 2013
Indian music legend Lata Mangeshkar (L) and Zakir Hussain greet each other during the '72nd Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Awards' in Mumbai on late April 24, 2014
At the same event, he is spotted with Indian Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor
Indian Padma Vibhushan singer Kishoritai Amonkar (L), classical music Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan (C) and tabla player Zakir Hussain pose for a photograph during the 16th 'Uttam Vag-Geykar Jialal Vasant Awards' Ceremony in Mumbai on February 27, 2016
Ustad Zakir Hussain performs at a concert at the Indian Music Experience (IME), India’s first interactive music museum, in Bangalore on July 27, 2019
Ustad Zakir Hussain (R) smiles as flautist Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia laughs after receiving the 1st Padma Vibhushan Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan Award in Mumbai on January 17, 2023
Ustad Zakir Hussain performs during the 100th birth anniversary of his father Ustad Alla Rakha, in Ahmedabad on December 10, 2019 (Pic: PTI)
Zakir Hussain, Edgar Meyer and Rakesh Chaurasia accept the "Global Music Performance" award for "Pashto" on stage during the 66th Annual Grammy Awards on February 4, 2024
Zakir Hussain poses with the three Grammy awards he won in February 2024 (Pic: Instagram/@zakirhq9)
Sharing the picture on Instagram, he had written, "The 3 Grammys arrived right on Mother’s Day. Mucho thanks to the Academy, to my Shakti brothers and my As We Speak mates for carrying me through these many years to this landmark moment and of course the priceless joy of sharing “This Moment” with my family. Love you all."
Zakir Hussain is surrounded by his family as he poses with the Grammys
Tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain meets celebrated Indian artist MF Husain. Photos Courtesy: Mid-day file pic
Zakir Hussain during a performance. Photos Courtesy: Mid-day file pic
