The renowned Indian tabla virtuoso, composer, percussionist, music producer turns a year older today and music lovers can’t stop showering the maestro with several ‘wah taaj’ praises for giving us the opportunity to be enthralled by his spellbinding musical performances. Let’s take a look at some significant facts from the supremely talented artist’s life and continue to draw inspiration:
Fact 1: Recipient of the prestigious Padma Bhushan award, Zakir Hussain’s learning of the classical percussion instrument began when he was just three years old.
Fact 2: Born to a family of musicians, this prodigy witnessed Hindustani classical music from close proximity when ‘ustads’ such as Pt. Ravi Shankar, Ustad Vilayat Khan performed in concerts. The maestro went on to receive the honourable Padma Shri in 1988, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1990.
Facts 3: The United States honoured him with the National Endowment for the Art’s National Heritage Fellowship which is the highest award given to musicians.