Zakir Hussain — Tabla Maestro

Conversational and experiential snippets from Zakir Hussain himself on his life journey from Mahim (Bombay, where he was born) to Marin (California, where he currently lives). A great story of very humble roots making it big on international scene purely because of his hardwork and dedication to his art.

He is one of the very few artist who has managed to keep his personal style and elegance intact. Signs of very evolved personalities who are incredibly agile in adjusting to the changing times and growing their art along with it (vs sticking to set ideas/ cultural norms). I have been lucky to attend some of his concerts in Berkeley and San Francisco. The concerts are always sold out and great musical experiences.

His father Allah Rakha Khan was also a well renowned tabla maestro of his own times (1950s/60s), a common theme for many Indian artists who have taken their existing parental legacy to new heights. Along with his father’s contemporaries — Pt. Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan and Pt. Chitresh Das, Zakir Husain introduced and established Indian classical music and art to the west in 1960s. Most of these Indian artists arrived in California in 1960s almost in the same decade when hippie movement was at it’s peak in America and counter-culture was evolving. They all grew up in India, mentored under very well known names, were devoted deeply to their art and leveraged western style to pitch themselves at the global level. Inspiring to see these artists bridging geographical and generational boundaries through their passion for music and art.