MUMBAI: Ustad Zakir Hussain, a name synonymous with Tabla and percussion, was born on 9 March 1951. As he celebrates his 68th birthday today, let’s get to know some amazing facts about him.
-Born to the Tabla legend, Ustad Allarakha, Zakir Hussain is the eldest son among the five siblings.
-He was born and brought up in Mahim, a Mumbai locality and went to St Micheal’s convent school.
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-He was inducted in music at a tender age of three by his legendary father.
-He was named Zakir Hussain, despite his family name being Qureshi, as it was advised by a gyani baba who one fine day visited their residence.
-His younger brothers Fazal Qureshi (Tabla) and Taufiq Qureshi (Djembe) are both regarded percussionists.
-Ustad Zakir Hussain is the youngest percussionist to be awarded Padmashri (1988), Padmabhushan (2002) and Sangeet Natak Akademi (1990) awards.
-He has composed music score for many movies like Mr & Mrs Iyer, Saaz, Vanaspratham to name a few.
-He has also featured and acted in movies like Heat & Dust and Saaz.
-In 1999, Ustad Zakir Hussain was conferred upon National Heritage Fellowship of National Endowment for the Arts, the United States’ most prestigious honour for a master in the traditional arts, presented by First Lady Hillary Clinton
-Over the years, he has collaborated with many Indian as well as international artists. His association with artists like Mickey Hart, John McLaughlin have created some legendary music
Here’s wishing the legend a very happy birthday!
