Ravi Shankar

About Ravi Shankar

Ustad Zakir Hussain, born Zakir Hussain Allarakha Qureshi, is a legendary Indian tabla virtuoso who popularized Indian classical percussion across the globe. Born in Mumbai in 1951, he was the eldest son of master percussionist Ustad Alla Rakha, who began training him in the complex art of the tabla from early childhood. A celebrated child prodigy, Hussain began touring internationally by his late teens, swiftly earning acclaim as a transcendent accompanist. In 1973, he co-founded the pioneering fusion ensemble Shakti alongside British guitarist John McLaughlin and Indian violinist L. Shankar, creating an unprecedented bridge between Indian traditions and Western jazz. Over his prolific career, he earned multiple Grammy Awards, notably for the groundbreaking 1991 world music project *Planet Drum* with Mickey Hart. The Government of India honored his profound artistic mastery with the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and the prestigious Padma Vibhushan. Through his breathtaking technical brilliance and cross-cultural collaborations, Hussain remains the quintessential global ambassador of Indian rhythm, inspiring countless percussionists worldwide.

Based on publicly available information.