Zakir Hussain

Ustad Zakir Hussain Qureshi stands among the most respected and influential percussionists in Indian classical music. Trained under the guidance of his father, Ustad Alla Rakha, he followed a rigorous early discipline that shaped his lifelong association with the tabla. He pursued his education at St. Michael’s High School and later graduated from St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai. 

In the late 1960s, Zakir Hussain moved to San Francisco, where he engaged with a wide range of musical traditions while continuing his classical practice. His career reflects a balance between tradition and innovation, earning him widespread international recognition. He has received multiple Grammy Award nominations and wins, including several major awards in recent years. His honors include the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (Ratna Sadsya), the Padma Vibhushan, the Kyoto Prize, the Aga Khan Music Award, and the United States National Heritage Fellowship.

Celebrated by critics and audiences worldwide for his precision, artistry, and musical depth, Zakir Hussain remains one of the most recognizable and respected tabla artists globally.