Renowned tabla maestro has passed away. After the complications arising out of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, Zakir Hussain breathed his last in San Francisco, the family confirmed on Monday. The artist who had been hospitalized for the past two weeks left the mortal world at the age of 73.
In his career spanning over six decades, Zakir Hussain’s contribution to the world of music has been incredible. No amount of adjectives can describe the beauty of the music that he embroidered in the fabric of Indian entertainment. Over the years, he collaborated with several artists on both national and international levels. He put Indian classical music on the global map. He was honored with several national awards and he even brought home not one or two but four Grammys.
Here is the complete list of awards conferred to tabla maestro Zakir Hussain:
It all began in 1988 when Zakir Hussain was given the title of Padma Shri. He was further honored with the other two Padma titles as well in the course of his life, details of which will be shared as we move ahead.
Thereafter, in 1990, Zakir received an honor from the President of India. He became one of the youngest musicians to receive the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. This award came from Sangeet Natak Academy, India’s National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama.
The same year he received the Indo-American Award that celebrated his outstanding cultural contribution to the relationship between the United States and India.
Two years later, in 1992, he got his first-ever Grammy for Best World Music Album, the Downbeat Critics’ Poll for Best World Beat Album, and the NARM Indie Best Seller Award for a World Music Recording. The album that got him his first Grammy was ‘Planet Drum,’ which he co-created and produced with Mickey Hart.
A few years down the line, in 1999 he received the highest honor given to traditional artists and musicians in the USA. The award was – the United States National Endowment for the Arts’s National Heritage Fellowship.
Then in 2002, he was conferred with Padma Bhushan, another accolade that celebrated him and his work in the field of music.
In 2009 the renowned artist won the Grammy in the Contemporary World Music Album category. His collaborative album ‘Global Drum Project’ alongside Mickey Hart, Sikiru Adepoju, and Giovanni Hidalgo helped him earn this recognition.
In 2023, he was given one of the highest civil awards in India – Padma Vibhushan for his exceptional contribution to music.
Last but not least, this year, i.e. in 2024, he made history at the 66th Grammy Awards by becoming the first Indian to win three trophies in a single night.
