Ustad Zakir Hussain (Musician) Biography, Padma Vibhushan, Age, Wife, Family, Net Worth: Tabla Maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain is uncertainly our country’s the majority famous tabla player in the post-independence era. Over the years, he has completed with numerous talented musicians, not just in India but also across the world. He rises to be a famous international celebrity after taking the sounds of the Tabla to numerous international carnivals and shows. This ultimately flooded him with opportunities to work in multiple international movies. Moreover, this led to the creation of brilliant fusion works new to Indian and overseas followership.
Overall, his donation towards depleting the Indian percussion is immense. Read the article carefully till the end to get all the detailed information about Ustad Zakir Hussain’s Biography, Padma Vibhushan, Age, Wife, Family, and Net Worth.
Ustad Zakir Hussain Biography- Highlights
| Article About | Ustad Zakir Hussain (Musician) Biography, Padma Vibhushan, Age, Wife, Family, Net Worth |
| Date of Birth | 9 March 1951 |
| Place of Birth | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Birth Name | Zakir Hussain Qureshi |
| Profession | Tabla player, music producer, film actor, and composer |
| Instruments | Tabla, Pakhawaj |
| Children | Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi |
| Father | Ustad Allarakha Qureshi |
| Mother | Bavi Begum |
| Awards | Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan |
Early Life & Education
Zakir Hussain was born famous as the son of Ustad Allah Rakha, a famed tabla player. So, quite naturally, he was inclined towards Tabla from a veritably young age. Zakir was a child sensation and started touring to perform at concerts when he was just twelve. This gave him recognition and fame at a veritably young age. Along with his stage shows, he concentrated on his education, went to St. Michael’s High School in Mahim, and ultimately graduated from St. Xavier’s in Mumbai. He also did his Ph.D. and earned a music doctorate from the University of Washington. In his early twenties, he started touring the United States constantly and performed in not lower than 150 musicals per time.
The Career of Zakir Hussain
Since he was a popular name in the US while still youthful, he banded with Western musicians and remained that way. However, he substantially worked with American bands. His cooperation with the famous band, ‘The Beatles’, deserves a special citation. He is also evidenced by an American psychedelic band ‘Shanti’ in 1971. In 1975, he vocation with John McLaughlin in the band ‘Shakti.’ This band had John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain, L. Shankar, T.H.’ Vikku’ Vinayakam, and R. Raghavan. Unfortunately, ‘Shakti’ was disbanded by the late 70s. Still, the band was reunited many times, latterly by the name ‘Flashback Shakti’ with the addition of new members.
The revived band went on to release numerous compendiums like ‘Saturday Night in Bombay’ and ‘The Religionist.’ They also performed in the 38th Montreux Jazz Festival. Zakir Hussain released his first solo reader, ‘Making Music’ in 1987, considered one of the most inspired East-West emulsion compendiums ever.
Film Career of Zakir Hussain
Zakir Hussain has composed music for frequent movies like ‘In Custody,’ ‘The Mystic Masseur,’ ‘Heat and Dust,’ etc. His composition for the Malayalam movie ‘Vanaprastha, which screened at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, earned him accolades. Some other flicks he has worked on the musical score include, ‘Apocalypse Now,’ ‘Little Buddha,’ ‘Saaz,’ ‘Mr. and Mrs. Iyer’ and ‘One Bone Curry.’ Zakir has also acted in numerous movies, substantially showcasing his musical performances. His depiction of the character ‘Inder Lal’ in the film ‘Heat and Dust’ is unforgettable.
He also starred in a couple of brilliant pictures suchlike ‘The Speaking Hand Zakir Hussain and the Art of the Indian Drum’ and ‘Zakir and His Friends.’ While ‘Zakir and His Friends’ was released in 1998, ‘The Speaking Hand’ was released in 2003.
Best Discographies
- Rolling Thunder – This was the first solo album by drummer Mickey Hart. It featured classical Tabla music, played by Zakir Hussain and his beloved father, the legendary musician Alla Rakha.
- Karuna Supreme – Created by American saxophonist John Handy, this album has the likes of Zakir Hussain, Ali Akbar Khan, and YogishS. Sahota. ‘Karuna Supreme’ was a significant success, both critically and commercially.
- Hard Work – After the success of ‘Karuna Supreme,’ Zakir joined hands with John Handy to work on this reader. ‘Hard Work’ took 43rd position in the top 200 albums released by Billboard. It also broke into the top 5 ranking on the Billboard Jazz map.
- Diga – Zakir’s Tal Vadya Rhythm Band was renamed ‘Diga Rhythm Band’ in 1975 following the adding together of Mickey Hart. This band created a reader called ‘Diga’ ( 1976), which achieved critical success. In 2008, a detractor person name John Metzger wrote that ‘Diga’ was further on of its time.
- Who is to Know – This reader was put together by the famous violinist Shankar in 1980. This, too, was critically acclaimed by numerous Western musicians.
- Song for Everyone- Featuring Zakir Hussain, Jan Garbarek, and Trilok Gurtu, ‘Song for Everyone’ was released by a violinist. Shankar. The reader entered four stars by Allmusic.
- Tabla Duet – In 1988, Zakir created his album ‘Tabla Duet.’ It featured himself next to his father, Alla Rakha.
- At the Edge – This album by Mickey Hart aspect only percussion instruments that covered the path for Planet Drum.
- Supralingua – In 1998, Mickey Hart shaped this album attribute his percussion ensemble Planet Drum. ‘Supralingua’ opened to mixed responses from critics but was lapped up by music lovers worldwide.
- The Melody of Rhythm – Created by banjoist Bela Fleck, ‘The Melody of Rhythm’ had Zakir Hussain on Tabla, Edgar Meyer on bass, and the services of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
What Makes Zakir Unique?
They are a number of data that will make you understand why Zakir Hussain positions out on or after the rest of the contemporary musicians and percussionists.
- Born Genius – Zakir Hussain find out to play Mridang (a classical percussion) from his father when he was three years old!
- Tabla Beat Science – Zakir Hussain and Bill Laswell founded this unique musical group in 1999. This gave an increase to the ‘Tala Matrix,’ which is thought to be one of the uppermost studies of tabla fusion in the contemporary era.
- An invite from the President – In 2016, Zakir Hussain became the first Indian musician to be invited by American President Barack Obama. An elite list of musicians was chosen and invited to attend the All-Star Global Concert in the White House.
- Awards
- Padma Shree – He was rewarded the Padma Shree by the Government of India in the year 1988, consequently creation him the youngest percussionist ever to collect this award.
- Padma Bhushan – In 2002, Zakir Hussain, formerly again, became the youngest percussionist to be pleased with India’s third-highest civilian award.
- Indo- American Award – This award was given to him in 1990 for his artistic contribution.
- National Heritage Fellowship – In 1999, Zakir turn into the proud recipient of America’s most prestigious honor in traditional arts.
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award – This award was given to him by the President of India in 1991. He was one of the youngest musicians to have ever received this award.
- Grammy – He was also awarded the Grammy for the album Planet Drum, produced and created by Zakir Hussain and Mickey Hart. This was his first-ever Grammy. He won his second Grammy during the 51st Grammy Awards for his album’ Global Drum Project’ under Contemporary World Music Album. He collaborated with Mickey Hart, Giovanni Hidalgo, and Sikiru Adepoju for this project.
- Kalidas Samman – In 2006, the government of Madhya Pradesh honored him with this prestigious award given to artists with exceptional achievements in their respective fields.
- Lifetime Achievement Award – In 2012, at Konark Dance & Music Festival, he was pleased with Guru Gangadhar Pradhan (lifetime achievement) award.
Personal Life of Zakir Hussain
Zakir Hussain married an Italian- American Kathak dancer and teacher, Antonia Minnecola. She earlier worked as his director for some time. The couple has two daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi. Following graduating from UCLA, Anisa Qureshi is now trying her luck in filmmaking and video production. Zakir’s other daughter, Isabella, is responsible for her major in dance at a college in Manhattan. Zakir freshly became a proud grandfather and resided in San Francisco, USA.
