Zakir Hussain

About Zakir Hussain

Ustad Zakir Hussain, the globally celebrated tabla virtuoso and composer, elevated traditional Indian classical music onto the world's most prestigious stages. Born in Mumbai in 1951, he was the son of legendary tabla maestro Alla Rakha, who began training him in rigorous percussive rhythms during early childhood. By age twelve, Hussain was touring internationally, captivating audiences with his extraordinary speed and technical precision. In the 1970s, he co-founded the ground-breaking acoustic fusion group Shakti alongside British guitarist John McLaughlin, bridging Eastern and Western musical paradigms. He later established the genre-defying Planet Drum ensemble with Mickey Hart, which earned the first-ever Grammy Award for Best World Music Album in 1992. His versatile genius extended to composing acclaimed film scores, including the soundtrack for Bernardo Bertolucci’s "Little Buddha." Hussain’s dynamic artistry revolutionized cross-cultural collaboration, transforming the Indian tabla from an accompanying percussion instrument into an expressive, leading voice on the global concert platform. Today, his visionary legacy endures as he continues to inspire generations of rhythmists worldwide.

Based on publicly available information.