The music world is remembering Ustad Zakir Hussain Not just because of his extraordinary talent, but also because of the deep legacy of pace and dedication he inherited from his legendary father Ustad Ala Raqqa.
According to an incident Zakir Hussain told in an interview eight years ago, his father welcomed him into the world in a truly unique way. Traditionally, fathers in Muslim families recite prayers into the ears of their newborns. However, when Zakir was first handed over to Alarakka, he chose to whisper tabla rhythm instead of praying.
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Recalling the moment, Zakir shared, “My dad took me in his arms and put his lips to my ear. Instead of reciting prayers, he recited tabla rhythms,” PTI reported. .My mother was very angry and asked: “What are you doing?” “You should say the prayer, not the rhythm.” My father calmly replied, “This is my prayer.” “I am a worshiper of Goddess Saraswati and Lord Ganesh.
Ala Raqqa’s response reflects his deep reverence for music as a divine force. He explains that his rhythm is not just a beat, but a prayer he learned from his own teachers and hopes to pass on to his son. This profound gesture symbolized his belief that music transcended religious and cultural boundaries and embodied a spiritual connection with the universe.
Zakir Hussain was born in Mumbai on March 9, 1951, and grew up under the tutelage of his father, eventually becoming one of the world’s greatest tabla players. His illustrious career has been blessed with many honours, including the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Shri in 2002 and the Padma Shri in 2023.
Zakir Hussain recently died in San Francisco from complications caused by idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. His death left an irreplaceable void in the world of music.
Meanwhile, several celebrities have expressed their condolences over the music legend’s death. Kamal Haasan tweeted: “Zakir Bhai! He left too soon. However, we are grateful for the time he gave us and the legacy he left behind in the form of art. The next thing. Goodbye and thanks. #ZakirHussain.
AR Rahman tweeted: “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. Zakir Bhai is an inspiration, a towering personality who gave tabla global popularity Kudos. His loss is immeasurable to all of us. I regret not being able to work with him as we did decades ago, although we planned an album together. May his family be truly missed. And countless students around the world have found the strength to bear this tremendous loss.
Ricky Kej penned a note that read: “It is with great pain that I learned of the tragic passing of Ustad Zakir Hussain, Deeply saddened and shocked by the passing of the legendary Ustad Zakir Hussain, one of the greatest musicians and celebrities India has ever known. Zakirji is also known for his extremely humble and approachable character and for being responsible for the careers of many musicians who have now become a force to be reckoned with. He is a treasure trove of skills and knowledge that always shines through. Collaboration and his actions shared and inspired the entire music community. His legacy will live on forever and his impact will be felt for generations to come. Saab was truly a treasure of our nation’s musical heritage.
Akshay Kumar tweeted: “Extremely pained to learn about the tragic passing away of Ustad Zakir Hussain Saab. He is truly a treasure of our nation’s musical heritage.
