The city of Pune recently resonated with heartfelt tributes to the legendary tabla maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain. The memories of the revered musician, who passed away on December 15 last year at the age of 73, were vividly recalled by fellow artists at two prominent musical gatherings in the city.
Emotional Tributes from the Stage
At an event held at the Ganesh Kala Krida Manch, renowned Hindustani vocalist Kaushiki Chakraborty (45) addressed the audience with a poignant message. She urged parents to teach their children about the maestro's everlasting presence and guiding light in the world of music. Her words set a reflective tone for the evenings dedicated to his memory.
The recently concluded Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav also became a platform for artists to reminisce about their long and formative associations with Ustadji. The anecdotes shared painted a picture of a musical giant who was also a profoundly humble and inspiring human being.
Personal Memories: A Father Figure and Guide
Young tabla player Ishan Ghosh (25) spoke emotionally about his bond with Hussain, whom he considered a father figure and his "North Star." Ghosh, who grew up around the maestro, met him just a month before his passing. "It was magic around uncle," Ghosh told TOI. "Nothing could go wrong in his music or in him as a person. He taught us to create a one-on-one connection."
Ghosh recounted a visit to Hussain's San Francisco home during a US tour last year, where they shared dinner and plans for a future hike. Their last meeting was in New York with Kaushiki Chakraborty, where Hussain took them to a jazz club. "I questioned him about jazz because he opened up the gamut of tabla in different forms of music," Ghosh said. He expressed his desire to learn Hussain's perspective on the tabla's global stage, to which the maestro replied, "Haan, dekhte hain" (Yes, we'll see). Those were their final words to each other.
Collaborators Recall a Humble Genius
American saxophonist George Brooks (69) traced his association with Zakir Hussain back to the early 1980s. He recalled Hussain casually asking him and Pandit Krishna Bhatt if they "needed a drummer." When Brooks wondered if they could afford him, Zakir smiled and said, ‘Let's think about the music first.’
One of Brooks' fondest memories was recording the album "Days of Rains." Hussain arrived straight from the airport, listened to the track once, and played it flawlessly in a single take. He then casually mentioned, "Oh, by the way, I have a record company." The album was later released on his label, Moment Records.
Brooks also offered a glimpse into Hussain's simple personal life in the US, describing how he drove a beat-up van, cooked his own food, and washed his clothes. "In the US, I saw him as a musician, a friend, a warm & humble person. That side of him is as inspiring as his artistry," Brooks stated.
Renowned vocalist and violinist L Shankar (75), who knew Hussain since the 1970s, shared memories of their early days playing classical concerts with Vikku Vinayakram. He was also part of the iconic fusion group Shakti with John McLaughlin, which featured Zakir Hussain. "Whenever Zakir was on stage, I felt an incredible high playing with him," Shankar remembered. "He was such an easy, beautiful human being."
The collective reminiscences in Pune underscored that while Ustad Zakir Hussain may have left the stage, his profound influence as a guru, collaborator, and humble genius continues to illuminate the path for musicians and music lovers worldwide.
