When did Zakir Hussain start playing tabla?

Renowned tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, who died in the US at 73 on Sunday (December 15, 2024), began his tabla training at seven.

Ustad Zakir, also known as composer, percussionist, music producer and film actor, was already performing across India by age 12.

The tabla maestro was the eldest son of legendary tabla player Allah Rakha and was widely considered one of the greatest tabla players of all time.

Zakir, who had followed in the footsteps of his father, was a renowned music figure in India and across the world.

Showcasing his exceptional tabla skills, he composed and performed for numerous acclaimed Indian and global films.

He received five Grammy Awards in his career and of them; three were at the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year.

Indian government awarded him the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.

On February 8, 2009, Zakir won the Grammy in the Contemporary World Music Album category for Global Drum Project with Mickey Hart & Giovanni Hidalgo.

Zakir also achieved Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1990), Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship and Ratna Sadsya (2018).

His friend and flautist Rakesh Chaurasia said after experiencing heart-related problems, Zakir was admitted to the ICU of a San Francisco hospital last week.

A source close to Zakir said the US-based musician had been suffering from blood pressure issues.

Born in March 1951 in Mumbai, Zakir attended St Michael’s High School in Mahim and graduated from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai.