Happy Birthday, Zakir Hussain: Lesser known facts about the musical maestro

Happy Birthday, Zakir Hussain: Lesser known facts about the musical maestroAce tabla player Padma

Bhushan Ustaad Zakir Hussain turns 70 today. The musical maestro was born on March 9, 1951, in a musicians' family to tabla virtuoso Ustaad Alla Rakha. On the musician's birthday, today here’s taking a look at some lesser-known facts about the musical maestro.

Childhood days

Zakir was good in academics, and did his schooling at St. Michael’s High School, Mahim, and graduated from St. Xavier’s, Mumbai. Not only this, but the Tabla maestro also completed his doctorate in music from the University of Washington.

Pursing his passion

Zakir was just three when he started his training to play the tabla and went on to become one of the top percussionists in the country. His father was a good friend of Pandit Ravi Shankar. He was also recommended for a music teacher's position at the University of Washington in Seattle in the USA by Pandit Ravi Shankar.

Film debut

Zakir made his debut in the year 1989 with the film ‘Heat’ and ‘Dust’. He not only acted in the film but also composed music for it.

Marriage

Zakir tied the knot in 1978 with Italian-American Kathak dancer, Antonia Minnecola. They were blessed with two daughters–Anisa and Isabella Qureishi.

Awards and accolades

He was the first Indian musician to be invited to the White House by the former US president Barack Obama to attend the All-Star Global Concert. He has won several awards, including the Padma Shri in 1988, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1990, and the Padma Bhushan in 2002. Zakir was a part of the iconic music album 'Planet Drum', which won Grammy's first-ever Best World Music Album.