Tabla player Zakir Hussain died at the age of 73 in a San Francisco hospital, his family confirmed on Monday. He succumbed to complications of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Hussain was hospitalized for the last two weeks and was taken to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after his condition deteriorated.
Born in Mumbai, Zakir Hussain was the eldest son of renowned tabla player Allah Rakha, who introduced him to music when he was only two days old.
Zakir Hussain became a global icon in both Indian classical and world music. He created history by winning three Grammy Awards in a single night and became the first Indian to do so. He also worked in 12 films, contributing to Bollywood with memorable songs. His outstanding career earned him the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.
Apart from composing many iconic Bollywood songs that remain favorites among Indian audiences, Hussain also ventured into acting, showcasing his remarkable versatility.
The Monkey Man (2024)
The tabla player was in Zakir Hussain’s latest film Monkey Man, directed and starring Dev Patel. Playing the role of a tabla master, Hussain Patel’s character, Kidd, performs a unique jugalbandi with an underground fighter, blending the beats of the tabla with boxing moves. The film, scheduled to release internationally on April 5, 2024, is awaiting CBFC approval for release in India.
Manto (2018)
Zakir Hussain composed the background score for Nandita Das’s acclaimed biopic Manto, based on the life of prolific and controversial Urdu writer Saadat Hasan Manto, starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui. His skillful tabla rhythm enriched the film’s soundtrack, adding depth and nuance to its emotional and dramatic moments, thereby elevating the cinematic experience.
Parzania (2005)
Zakir Hussain composed the music for Rahul Dholakia’s critically acclaimed film Parzania, a National Award-winning film inspired by the 2002 Gujarat riots. With powerful performances from Naseeruddin Shah and Sarika in the lead roles, the film’s poignant score added depth to its emotionally charged story.
Mr. and Mrs. Iyer (2002)
Zakir Hussain’s work in the 2002 film Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, directed by Aparna Sen, added depth to its memorable soundtrack. Based on a tense bus journey amid communal unrest, the film tells the story of the growing bond between a Hindu woman (Konkona Sen Sharma) and a Muslim man (Rahul Bose). Hussain’s music beautifully complemented the film’s emotional tone and powerful narrative.
Vanaprastham (1999)
Zakir Hussain showcased his versatility while working as a composer, artist and Indian music consultant in the acclaimed Malayalam film Vanaprastham. The film, which was screened at the Cannes Film Festival, was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival (AFI Fest) in 1999. It won prestigious accolades including an award at the 2000 Istanbul International Film Festival. 2000 Mumbai International Film Festival, and 2000 National Film Awards in India.
Saaz (1988)
Zakir Hussain showcased his versatility in the film Saaz, not only by composing two extraordinary tracks – Kya Tumne Keh Diya, sung by Kavita Krishnamurthy, and Phir Bhor Bhaye, performed by Devaki Pandit – but also in the acting role with Shabana Azmi. Also shown. These songs became the highlights of a film deeply rooted in music, further cementing Zakir Saab’s versatile contribution to Indian cinema.
Heat and Dust (1983)
Zakir Hussain made his acting debut in the 1983 British drama Heat and Dust, where he played the soft-spoken Inder Lal opposite Julie Christie, and showcased his talent in a tender romance. His association with cinema extended to both English and Hindi films, particularly Merchant-Ivory productions.
In Custody (1993)
Zakir Hussain contributed to the musical score of the 1993 film directed by Ismail Merchant, in which he collaborated with renowned artists such as Sultan Khan, Fazal Qureshi and Ulhas Bapat. He directed the music for the song ‘Naseeb Azmaane Ke’, beautifully rendered by Shankar Mahadevan, and also composed the soulful track Dil Thahar Jayega. The film featured Shashi Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, Om Puri, Neena Gupta, Amjad Khan and many more, further adding to its cinematic appeal.
