Zakir Hussain, the legendary tabla virtuoso and global ambassador of Indian classical music who has died aged 73, leaves behind a timeless rhythmic legacy that will inspire generations.

A child prodigy, he collaborated with Indian classical icons like Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, and Shivkumar Sharma and global musicians like John McLaughlin and George Harrison.

Born on 9 March, 1951, in Mahim, Mumbai, he was the eldest son of Ustad Allarakha, one of history’s most iconic players of the tabla – a pair of traditional Indian hand played drums.

Hussain’s journey, from a child prodigy to an internationally celebrated percussionist, was a masterclass in balancing tradition and innovation.

Hussain’s life revolved around rhythm from the very beginning.

The sound of the tabla was his first language, his earliest “words”. By the age of 12, he was already performing globally, accompanying stalwarts like Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan during his teenage years.

While rooted in the Hindustani classical tradition, Hussain possessed an insatiable curiosity that propelled him to explore other genres, leading to ground-breaking collaborations across the world.

In 1973, he co-founded Shakti with guitarist John McLaughlin, a group that fused Indian classical music with jazz and Western traditions, creating a new global sound.

Over five decades, Shakti evolved, featuring luminaries like violinist L Shankar, percussionist Vikku Vinayakram, and mandolin maestro U Srinivas.

Their first studio album in 46 years, This Moment, won the Grammy for Best Global Music Album in 2024, marking a fitting finale to their 50th-anniversary tour. Hussain’s virtuosity on the tabla was pivotal to Shakti’s success and to the global appreciation of Indian rhythms.

Zakir Hussain: The end of an era

Zakir Hussain’s contributions extended far beyond Shakti.

He was a key collaborator in Planet Drum and Global Drum Project, both with Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart, earning him Grammy Awards in 1991 and 2008.

His ventures like Tabla Beat Science, a fusion of Indian classical music with electronic and world music, and orchestral works such as

Peshkar for the Symphony Orchestra of India showcased his unrelenting drive to innovate while respecting his roots.

“The moment you think you’re a maestro, you are distancing yourself from the others,” Hussain told Rolling Stone India magazine earlier this year. “You have to be part of a group, and not dominate it.”

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