By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
Born to musician father Allarakha, Zakir Hussain was attracted to Tabla, a popular Indian instrument, since childhood . He later learnt the finer elements of the instrument & various sinews of music to be well acquainted with the art & later matured as a perfectionist, gaining worldwide recognition. Zakir Hussain rose to popularity with the advertisement “Wah Taj”, a Tea brand currently owned by Unilever in India. The original company was established in the United Kingdom .The products is sold under the name Lipton in other countries.
Travelled widely & held shows & concerts at many places. Met American President Obama at White House in 2016.He was also an actor and musician. He also featured in films including ‘Heat & Dust’ (1983) starring Shashi Kapoor & “Saaz” (1998) as musician alongside Bhupen Hazarika .The film starred Shabana Azmi Raghuvir Yadav , Aruna Irani & Zakir Hussain.
He had been undergoing treatment for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, a rare kind of disease which is not easy to heal as it continues to grow its tentacles. It is characterized by continuous shortness of breath and coughing adding to the misery of the patient. A patient may survive for few years. Lung Implant remains the eventual remedy which presumably could not be done or made possible in his case.
Born 9 March 1951 & Bestowed with four Grammy Awards, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan & Padma Vibhushan, the music maestro breathed his last reportedly on 15 December, 2024 in San Francisco, USA.
The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, said in her condolence message that passing away of Hussain was a “great loss” to the world of music. She conveyed her deepest condolences to the bereaved family and his admirers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “a true genius who revolutionized the world of Indian classical music”. Messages also kept pouring from various sections of the society- sportsperson, politicians, celebrities & friends.
