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The last rites of tabla player and Padma Vibhushan Ustad Zakir Hussain will be performed in America today i.e. on Thursday. According to the report, he will be buried in San Francisco in America. Zakir Hussain will be laid to rest tonight at 10:30 pm Indian time. News agency PTI has given this information quoting family sources.

Died on the night of 15th December

World renowned tabla player and Padma Vibhushan Ustad Zakir Hussain passed away on Sunday night, 15th December. The news of his demise was coming since Sunday night, but the family confirmed it on Monday morning. He was suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and was hospitalized in San Francisco for two weeks.

Ustad Zakir Hussain was nominated for the Grammy Award 7 times and won the award 4 times.

Ustad Zakir Hussain to receive Padma Vibhushan award in 2023

Ustad Zakir Hussain was awarded the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023. He received his first Grammy Award in 2009. In 2024 he also won 3 Grammys for 3 different albums.

Born on March 9, 1951 in Mumbai, Ustad Zakir 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’. The maestro received his first Grammy Award in 2009. In 2024, he won 3 Grammys for 3 different albums. In this way Zakir Hussain won a total of 4 Grammy Awards.

His father’s name was Ustad Allarakha Qureshi and mother’s name was Bavi Begum. Ustad Allarakha was a very famous tabla player of his time. It was he who gave initial training in music to Zakir. Zakir Hussain received his early education from St. Michael’s School in Mahim, Mumbai. He did his graduation from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai.

Seeing a flat place, he started playing tunes with his fingers.

Zakir Hussain had the talent of playing tunes since childhood. Seeing any flat place, he would start playing tunes with his fingers. Even the utensils were not left in the kitchen. Whatever pan, pot and plate they found, they started touching it.

Zakir Hussain used to keep the tabla in his lap

In the early days, Ustad Zakir Hussain used to travel by train. Due to lack of money, he used to board the general coach. If he could not find a seat, he would spread newspapers on the floor and sleep. To prevent anyone’s feet from touching the tabla, he used to sleep with it in his lap.

Got 5 rupees at the age of 12

When Zakir Hussain was 12 years old, he went to a concert with his father. Music stalwarts like Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Bismillah Khan, Pandit Shanta Prasad and Pandit Kishan Maharaj had attended that concert.

Zakir Hussain went on stage with his father. After the performance was over, Zakir got Rs 5. Referring to this in an interview, he had said – I have earned a lot of money in my life, but those 5 rupees were the most valuable.

Ustad Zakir Hussain was invited by Barack Obama to a concert in White House.

Obama sent invitation for concert at White House

Zakir Hussain got a lot of respect in America also. In 2016, former US President Barack Obama invited him to the White House to participate in the All Star Global Concert. Zakir Hussain was the first Indian musician to receive this invitation.

Acted in a Hollywood film with Shashi Kapoor

Zakir Hussain has also acted in some films. He debuted in the 1983 British film Heat and Dust. Shashi Kapoor also worked in this film.

Zakir Hussain also worked in a 1998 film Saaz. Shabana Azmi was opposite Hussain in this film.

Zakir Hussain was also offered the role of Salim’s younger brother in the film Mughal-e-Azam (1960), but his father Ustad Allarakha refused to work in the film. He wanted his son to concentrate only on music.

Political personalities paid tribute to Zakir Hussain

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Condoling the demise of Zakir Hussain, he had written on the He will be remembered as a true genius who revolutionized the world of Indian classical music. He also brought Tabla to the global stage and enthralled millions of people with his unmatched rhythm. My condolences to his family, friends and the global music community.

Home Minister Amit Shah had written- Today a rhythm became silent. Deeply saddened by the demise of tabla player Ustad Zakir Hussain ji. Blessed with musical talent, Hussain ji created such wonderful works that crossed the boundaries of language and culture by awakening the emotions hidden behind the rhythm. His music will remain a thread that binds humanity together.