Ustad Zakir Hussain (born 9 March 1951) is an Indian
tabla player, composer, percussionist, music producer and film actor. He is the eldest son of tabla player
Alla Rakha.[1] He is widely considered as one of the greatest tabla players of all time.[2]
Zakir Hussain Allaraka Qureshi was born on 9 March 1951 in
Mumbai (officially known then as Bombay), India.[7] He attended St. Michael's High School in Mahim, and graduated from
St. Xavier's College, Mumbai.[8]
Haridas Vhatkar has been making Hussain's tablas for more than 18 years.[1] Haridas said he learned how to make tabla so he could specially make them for Hussain.[1]
Hussain has stated that he does not play at private gatherings, corporate events, or weddings; he believes music should not be heard at events where folks come to socialize, drink or enjoy a meal (music should be the sole purpose of the event).[1]
Book
Nasreen Munni Kabir compiled 15 interview sessions (each lasting about 2 hours) from 2016 to 2017 into the book Zakir Hussain: A Life in Music, which was published in 2018.[1] This book takes the reader through Hussain's life from his youth, his years of intense training, and growth as a musician.[1]
Personal life
Hussain married Antonia Minnecola, a
Kathak dancer and teacher, who is also his manager.[19] They have two daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi. Anisa graduated from UCLA and is a film maker. Isabella is studying dance in Manhattan.[20]
Hussain has two brothers:
Taufiq Qureshi a percussionist, and
Fazal Qureshi, also a tabla player. Their brother Munawar died at a young age when he was attacked by a rabid dog.[1] His eldest sister Bilquis died before Hussain was born. Another sister, Razia, died due to complications during a cataract surgery, just a few hours before their father's death in 2000.[1] He has another sister named Khurshid.[1]
He was named an Old Dominion Fellow by the Humanities Council at
Princeton University, where he resided for the 2005–2006 semester as full professor in the music department.[21] He was also a visiting professor at
Stanford University.[22] In May 2022, he was conferred the honorary Doctor of Law (LLD) degree for his contribution to the field of music by
Mumbai University.[23]
Awarded the Indo-American Award in 1990 in recognition for his outstanding cultural contribution to relations between the United States and India.[citation needed]
In 1992 Planet Drum, an album co-created and produced by Hussain and
Mickey Hart, was awarded the first-ever Grammy for Best World Music Album, the Downbeat Critics’ Poll for Best World Beat Album and the NARM Indie Best Seller Award for a World Music Recording.[citation needed]
In 2005, he was named an Old Dominion Fellow by the Humanities Council at
Princeton University, where he resided for the 2005–2006 semester as full professor in the music department, teaching a survey course in Indian classical music and dance.[citation needed]
Golden Strings of the Sarode (Moment! Records 2006) with
Aashish Khan and Hussain was nominated for a
Grammy in the Best Traditional World Music Album category in 2006.[citation needed]
In 2007, readers' polls from both Modern Drummer and Drum! magazines named Hussain Best World Music and Best World Beat Drummer respectively.[citation needed]
On 23 February 2012 for Guru Gangadhar Pradhan Lifetime Achievement Award at Konark Dance & Music Festival, Organised by Konark Natya Mandap[citation needed]
Summer of 2016, he was nominated for President's Medal of the Arts, however, new rule stated non-Americans could not receive the medal.[1]
In 2019,
Sangeet Natak Academy, India's National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama, honored Hussain with the Academy Fellow award, also known as the Academy Ratna, for the year 2018.[1]
In 2022, he was conferred the honorary Doctor of Law (LLD) degree for his exceptional contribution in the field of music by
Mumbai University.[23]
On 17 June 2022, he was named by the non-profit Inamori Foundation to receive the
Kyoto Prize, Japan's highest private award for global achievement, in the category of Arts and Philosophy (field: Music).[31]
On 4 February 2024, Hussain received 3 awards at the
66th Annual Grammy Awards.[32][33] Hussain’s first win came for Pashto, written and recorded in collaboration with American banjo player Béla Fleck, American bassist Edgar Meyer and Indian flautist Rakesh Chaurasia. Hussain’s second Grammy of the night was for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, which he won alongside Fleck, Meyer and Chaurasia, for the eclectic classical-meets-jazz album, As We Speak. His third win of the night came for the album This Moment, the critically acclaimed comeback of the pioneering world-fusion band Shakti. [34]
Tribute
The line "Zakir Hussain Tabela Ivaltana" in the Tamil song "Telephone Manipol" in Indian (1996) film directed by
S.Shankar is a tribute to him. This song was written by poet
Vairamuthu.[35]
^
abcdefghijklmKabir, Nasreen (2018). Zakir Hussain: A Life in Music. Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India: HarperCollins Publisher India.
ISBN978-93-5277-049-6.