AR Rahman and Shreya Ghoshal Pay Respects to Zakir Hussain

Music maestro AR Rahman regretted not being able to collaborate with Zakir Hussain in the recent past. The tabla legend passed away at the age of 73 after suffering heart-related ailments. Calling him an inspiration and a towering personality who elevated the tabla to global acclaim AR Rahman wrote in his tribute, “His loss is immeasurable for all of us. I regret not being able to collaborate with him as much as we did decades ago, though we had planned an album together. You shall be truly missed. May his family and his countless students worldwide find the strength to bear this immense loss.”

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.
Zakir Bhai was an inspiration, a towering personality who elevated the tabla to global acclaim ðŸÂŒŸðŸÂÂŒÂÂÂÂ�. His loss is immeasurable for all of us. I regret not being able to collaborate with him as much as we did decades ago, though we had planned…

— A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) December 16, 2024

 

Shreya Ghoshal, on the other hand, penned an emotional note for the late musician. She recalled his ‘kind smile, endearing personality and his effortless genius’ when he came to judge her in a singing contest. “In the many fortunate instances where I got to meet him I only have been in awe of him, and him, always so encouraging to young artists like me. An inspiration to countless artists, his impact on Indian and global music is immeasurable. As we bid farewell, his beats remain immortal, guiding generations to come. Rest in rhythm, Ustad” her note read.

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AR Rahman and Shreya Ghoshal recently paid heartfelt respects to legendary tabla maestro Zakir Hussain. The music icons expressed admiration for his immense contribution to Indian classical music and global artistry.

Zakir Hussain was born in 1951 to tabla player Allah Rakha. Considered as one of the greatest in this field, Hussain has been awarded the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and the Padma Vibhushan. He also won the Grammy in the Contemporary World Music Album category in 2009 for his album Global Drum Project with Mickey Hart and Giovanni Hidalgo and has won five Grammys overall.