Tabla loses its rhythm

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain Ustad Zakir Hussain, the legendary tabla maestro who made “Wah Ustad Wah” a household expression and was synonymous with intricate rhythms, passed away after a critical illness, as confirmed by his family. He was 73. Zakir Hussain was in critical condition in the US. The 73-year-old succumbed to complications arising from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

“He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy cherished by countless music lovers around the globe, with an influence that will resonate for generations to come,” his family statement read.

He is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola and his daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi.

Some of the artists recall their association with the late maestro.

‘We have lost an integral part of ourselves’

Paying a tribute to the tabla maverick, Purbayan Chatterjee, one of the topmost sitar maestros of the world who belongs to the Senia Maihar Gharana, and who had the privilege of playing with him many times, says, “I feel today like I have lost a guru, a mentor, an older brother, a friend, in some ways, even somebody we could just love with all our hearts. Ustadji… only you you could make our hearts skip a beat.” Narrating a few anecdotes, Purbayan says, Zakir Bhai had once asked me, Do you know who Ustad Ali Akbar Khan Sahib or Pandit Ravi Shankarji, Ustad Vilayat Khan Sahib, or Pandit Nikhil Banerjeeji are?

Knowing better than to reply, I had kept my mouth shut and waited for him to give the answer himself. The reason for their success was their unwavering conviction in whatever they did. Ustadji was the epitome of conviction. Every word he said, every stroke he played, every beat he emphasised, and even every beat he skipped came from a place of unshakeable belief in a life force that was otherworldly.

Looking back today and reflecting on so many years of association, much of which was simply observing him in awe from a distance, I almost feel like I have a romantic attachment to his persona. For so many of us, who are trying to emulate him in so many different ways, we have lost an integral part of ourselves in the process.

I remember the first time I got the opportunity to be on stage with him in the year 2007 in Kolkota. Just before we were going to get on stage, I had the jitters as I was standing in the wings. Zakir Bhai quietly approached me from behind, tugging on the sleeve of my kurta. He whispered in my ear, “My kurtas are slightly more expensive and slightly better ironed, but at the end of the day, I’m just a tabla player.”

I have never seen a more well-rounded individual who was more aware of his role in this amazing life. Another little anecdote comes to mind; this occurred in 1998, when I lived in California for part of the year to study with Ustad Ali Akbar Khan Sahib. My father and I were in Zakir Bhai’s & Toni Bhabis’ home in San Anselmo, California, and he was narrating some little nuggets from his life as a young man trying to make a career in music. He shared with us that he would board the train to accompany Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan Sahib, and he emphasised that during those days, he would seize every opportunity to perform with maximum enthusiasm while accompanying someone. In his own words, he then said, “Later in my life, I realised that the more crisp my playing was, and the less I tried to show the audience what I was capable of, the more famous I became, and the more money people gave me.” These are life lessons that have stayed with me. For so many of us who play other instruments or who are not even in the field of music, he will continue to be a guiding force, a guru, and a mentor.

If I were to attempt writing an anecdotal narrative about Ustadji, it would undoubtedly fill many pages. However, I would like to conclude this narrative with a message that we should all remember.

The man, Ustadji, was quirky, witty, and an eternal prankster.

He had given me the opportunity to perform my musical “sewa” for the barsi of Ustad Allarakha Khan Sa’ab in 2020. Shortly after I completed my performance, he appeared on stage. As I lowered myself to touch his feet, he lifted me up and gave me a hug. While he was hugging me, he whispered into my ear, “There’s a little hole in the armpit of your kurta… just saying.”

‘A void that cannot be filled’

Our organisation, ARThub, arranged two concerts in February 2023 and February 2024, as well as a concert on February 15, 2025, which we regretfully had to cancel, says Hyderabad-based Mukti Shri, Kathak dancer and director of ArtHub Foundation and Kalavati School Of Dance And Performing Arts.

On August 11th this year, I had the privilege of performing in front of him in Mumbai and receiving his blessings. His greatness led to the encouragement of junior artists. Indian classical music will never be able to fill the void this has caused. There are so many instances of his interactions with us and others that they are better stored in memory. Being in his presence is akin to being in close proximity to a celestial being.

He was a thorough gentleman, a very kind and loving person. He would not let anyone praise him; he would change the topic. He showered his blessing with much love. He was very witty. Once, when we were all having dinner at a restaurant, there were two musicians playing the sitar and tabla. He expressed his appreciation for them and approached them to ask if they would like to take a photograph with him, leaving the artists and all of us in awe.

Messages of condolence poured in

Grammy winner musician Ricky Kej wrote on X: “One of the greatest musicians and personalities India has ever produced. Along with being the best himself, Zakirji was known for...being responsible for the careers of numerous musicians, who are now forces to reckon with themselves. He was a treasure trove of skill and knowledge and always shared and encouraged the entire music community through collaborations and his actions. His legacy will live on forever.”

American drummer Nate Smith thanked Hussain for “all of the music you gave us”.

“The rhythm of India paused today….” posted Anand Mahindra.

A R Rahman:

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. Zakir Bhai was an inspiration, a towering personality who elevated the tabla to global acclaim. His loss is immeasurable for all of us. I regret not being able to collaborate with him as much as we did decades ago, though we had planned an album together. You shall be truly missed. May his family and his countless students worldwide find the strength to bear this immense loss.

Beyond the concert stage

He composed music for the Cannes-premiering film “Vanaprastham” and contributed to the soundtracks of Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now,” Bernardo Bertolucci’s “Little Buddha,” and Merchant Ivory’s “In Custody.”

Hussain won four Grammy Awards over his career. With Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead, he won his first Grammy for Best World Music Album with “Global Drum Project” in 2009. His 2024 Grammys were Best Global Music Performance for “Pashto,” Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for “As We Speak,” and Best Global Music Album for “This Moment.”

The percussionist, one of India's most celebrated classical musicians, received the Padma Shri in 1988, Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.