Desk. World famous tabla player Zakir Hussain was laid to rest in San Francisco on Thursday. Zakir Hussain, one of the world’s best tabla players, died on Monday in a hospital in San Francisco. He was 73 years old. He was suffering from complications arising from the lung disease idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Well-known name in India and abroad, Hussain (Zakir Hussain) has left behind more than 60 years of musical experience. He played the tabla on stage with some of the greatest Indian and international musicians and created a ‘fusion’ of Indian classical and world music, giving the tabla a new identity. The great percussionist composed music in various genres and styles. His repertoire also includes ‘Jazz’ and ‘Concert’.
Zakir Hussain was born on 9 March 1951 in Mumbai (Maharashtra). He was the son of the great tabla player Ustad Allah Rakha Qureshi and Bavi Begum. Zakir Hussain received his early education from St. Michael’s School in Mahim, Mumbai. He had a keen interest in music since childhood and received initial training in playing tabla from his father.
Zakir Hussain had received training in playing tabla under the Guru-Shishya tradition. He was not only a brilliant disciple, but he also took the art to new heights with his unmatched practice and dedication. Along with Indian classical music, he also studied Western music. Hussain performed his first concert in America at the age of just 11. In 1973 he launched his first album ‘Living in the Material World’.
