The Irreplaceable Ustad Zakir Hussain: A Timeless Musical Genius, Says Prodyut Mukherjee
Ustad Zakir Hussain is the towering figure lost in the Indian classical music fraternity. He stands as one of the greatest maestros of tabla in the whole world. Through the means of cultural diplomacy, along with music and acting, he has provided a much greater service than can be taken as that of a performing artist. No man has ever been as influential, and his legacy will forever light the road for others who will follow in his footsteps.
He is also a Grammy Juror and a GIMA award winner among others. Genius, according to Mukherjee, he worships “Zakir Bhai is born once in millions of births, no other substitute in the entire gamut of Indian Classical music exists.” That genius inspired an unquantified number of fans and peer artistes from every nook and corner of the earth.
Ustad Zakir Hussain: A Legend Beyond Compare
He was not only a musician but an ambassador of Indian classical music. He took the world to the nuances and beauty of the art by his tabla. His concerts are sold out months in advance, from America to Europe, Africa to Asia. This is a testimony that he has universal appeal. Mukherjee recalls his playing increased the popularity of Indian classical music from America to the whole world.
Zakir Bhai’s impact was not only in live performances. His collaboration with the world music legends like John McLaughlin, Mickey Hart, and Ravi Shankar placed Indian music at the front of world music. Humility and extraordinary talent have made him a favorite of the audience and collaborators.
A Versatile Genius
While Zakir Bhai is unbeaten of the excellence he portrays over the tabla, he was most memorable for being a versatile musician. Like he was a good composer, so the musical composition was an amalgamation of Indian classical music, jazz, fusion, and global beats. Mukherjee reminiscence his multifaceted genius: “He was not only the tabla magician but also a great music composer and an actor”.
His ventures into cinema, like the critically acclaimed Heat and Dust, have established him as one who can do anything in any medium. He has been highly successful, yet very earthy and humble. Mukherjee recalls an incident from the first meeting in America where he addressed him as Ustad Ji. Zakir Bhai responded, “I am not Ustad Ji, I am only Zakir Hussain. You just call me Zakir Bhai.
A Passion for Kolkata
He was so strong connected with the tabla culture of Kolkata that he had described it to have an extra sweet, tonal quality. Mukherjee shares how the two celebrated makers of the tabla from South Kolkata used to gift him a tabla whenever he used to visit him. He used to perform on those instruments, which speaks of his gratitude for the music of Kolkata.
A Heritage Continues
Nothing can fill the void: Zakir Bhai is gone. Compositions by him are still treasure house for the music lover and students, and exist in digital media, as in YouTube. Mukherjee hopes that “it will be a great opportunity for the students to learn, unlearn, and relearn after listening to Zakir Bhai’s music.”.
And we see him walk out, his art and humility engraved inside millions of hearts. Zakir Bhai would inspire generations through the invaluable contribution he made to Indian Classical Music and by his legacy everywhere else in the world.
Personal Adieu
Mukherjee ends his moving obituary to “Zakir Bhai will live in our hearts, forever. Eternal peace to his soul.”
Indeed, well, the life of Ustad Zakir Hussain has been a celebration of the world of music in all humility and innovation put together beautifully. The world would mourn one such maestro, but his music and legacy never sleep.
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