Zakir Hussain Latest News

Zakir Hussain Allaraka Qureshi, a tabla player, composer, percussionist, music producer was a marquee name in India and abroad. Hussain died on 16 December 2024 at a hospital in San Francisco at the age of 73.

Hussain leaves behind more than 60 years of music.

Here is a list of Zakir Hussain’s major achievements, his life story/biography and career captured in 20 points.

1. Zakir Hussain was born March 9, 1951, in Bombay, India.
2. He is the son of Ustad Allah Rakha Khan, a well-known Indian tabla player.
3. Zakir started playing the tabla as soon as he could reach across the drums.
4. Hussain began playing at concerts by the age of seven and started touring at 12.
5. He did his graduation from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai.
6. Zakir completed his doctorate degree in music from the University of Washington.
7. He is also the first Indian musician to be invited to the White House by the former USPresident Barack Obama in 2016 to attend the All-Star Global Concert.
8. Zakir Hussain was conferred with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1991.
9. He was also a part of the team involved in composing music for the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
10. He played on the stage alongside some of the greatest Indian and international musicians in a fusion of Indian classical and world music, giving the tabla a whole new identity.
11. The child prodigy performed his first concert at the age of seven and began touring at 12.
12. After completing his education in Mumbai, where he was born, he moved to the United States in 1970.
13. In February 2024, Hussain became the first musician from India to receive three Grammys at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in February for Best Global Music Album, Best Global Music Performance and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.
14. At the 2024 Grammys, Hussain earned his first honour for best global music album for “This Moment” as part of the fusion music group Shakti.
15. He later won two other awards for the best global music performance for “Pashto” and best contemporary instrumental album for “As We Speak”.
16. The percussionist was once voted the “sexiest man” by women readers of the Indian magazine “Gentleman” in 1994 in a competition against the likes of Amitabh Bachchan.
17. In 1988, Hussain became a household name as the face of the Taj Mahal Tea brand.
18. Hussain also shared screen space with his father Allah Rakha in the iconic national integration song “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara” which premiered on Doordarshan.
19. He is survived by his wife Antonia Minnecola and two daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi.
20. Hussain was the recipient of countless awards and honours, including Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the USA’s National Heritage Fellowship and Officier in France’s Order of Arts and Letters.

Zakir Hussain Family

1. Hussain, the greatest tabla player of his generation, is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola and his daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi.
2. The duo tied the knot in 1978 and are parents to two daughters.
3. Hussain was known to be a perfect family man.
4. Zakir Hussain first met Antonia Minnecola in the early 1970s in California, USA.
5. After dating for over eight years, the couple tied the knot in 1979.
6. Zakir Hussain and his wife appeared on an episode of Rendezvous with Simi Garewal where they spoke about their wedding.
7. Hussain used to say that his mother did not approve of the marriage and remained distant from his family for a few years.