HYDERABAD: Legendary tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain, who passed away on Thursday, shared a profound connection with Hyderabad, a city he often hailed for its cultural resonance. His mesmerising performances here left an indelible mark on the Deccan’s artistic soul.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle during a concert at “Melody of Rhythm” about his connection to Hyderabad on February 18, 2023, the maestro said, “I spent some time here in Khairatabad in the late 1950s with some family friends. I also shot my first movie here — so history goes way back,” further adding that he has been looking forward to being in the beautiful city again.
He also recalled sharing the stage with his father, the legendary Alla Rakha, in the mid-1960s in Hyderabad.
“This is a city that had legendary artists living here as court musicians, and they educated a large number of devoted followers on Indian music. The ripple effect of this is visible even now”, he said.
“Hyderabad has had a rich tradition of classical music. It was home to the doyen of Hindustani music: Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and Tabla Nawaz Shaik Dawood. Pandit Jasraj and his brother Pandit Maniram have also etched their music in the minds of music connoisseurs of the city”, Ustad Zakir Hussain said in a conversation with Deccan Chronicle in January of 2018.
Ustad Zakir Hussain performed for the last time in Hyderabad on February 18, 2024 at the “Melody of Rhythm” concert.
He shared the stage with his long-time stage partner and renowned sitar player Pandit Niladri Kumar.
As Hyderabad mourns the loss of Ustad Zakir Hussain, his rhythmic legacy and heartfelt connection to the city will continue to echo in its cultural heritage for generations to come.
