As news about legendary tabla player Zakir Hussain oscillated between hope and despair, prompting prayers and tributes, everyone began to remember his music as a divine force that defied human mortality. His art had a unifying force, a rhythm that laid the foundation for a blend of beautiful notes and sounds that could be perceived and savored the binding power of music that transcends human divides such as religion and culture. does
The emptiness of the unfilled void left by the pioneers of fusion music will feel aching with relief coming in the form of a grand legacy of recorded work that will be an eternal tribute to the way a musical genius elevated the percussion instrument to glorious heights. His father, Ustad Allah Rakh, could not even be imagined at the time who mentored him.
Even in Hollywood films, the story of a handsome young man who plays the tabla will be memorable. But it is the story of his musical collaborations that revolutionized the perception of Indian classical music around the world that will remain his greatest contribution to global music.
Today, if the notes of the sitar, sarod and santoor and the rhythmic beats of the tabla from classical Indian music are practically de guerre for background music in films, be it Hollywood or otherwise, it is a tribute to a maestro. Fusion music is a phenomenon that will resonate for generations to come.
His musical appeal has remained vibrant and relevant over the decades and his contributions have been recognized with three Grammy Awards, in a career collection of five, most recently this year pointing to the sheer dedication and passion that turned music into memorable tunes. Of course, civilian honors had flowed to his home country over the years.
And to think that he faked a little to be a friend at a classical music concert in his father’s place revealed that he was still in his tweens to start a musical journey that, however, would not end with his death in old California. Lung disease.
He made Indian sounds and rhythms part of the global music scene and conversation as the music he contributed moved people. His legacy will live on.