Obituary: His Tabla Is Silent, But The Rhythm Lives On — A Dancer's Tribute To Ustad Zakir Hussain

For those of us who grew up in the '80s and '90s, Ustad Zakir Hussain was not just a name — he was a heartbeat, a rhythm that resonated through every corner of our lives. From his iconic Wah Taj! commercial against the scenic backdrop of the Taj Mahal to his timeless performances, Ustad ji was a force of nature who transformed the tabla from a supporting instrument into a global phenomenon. His passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy, his beats, and his rhythm will echo through generations.

I first saw the virtuoso in the most unlikely of places — a television commercial. Wah Taj! wasn’t just about selling a brand; it was an introduction to one of the most brilliant tabla maestros of all time. His curly hair, radiant smile, and his fingers dancing across the tabla as if they were in conversation with the very rhythms of the universe — it was a moment that stayed with me. As a child, I didn’t fully understand classical music, but I knew that what I was hearing wasn’t just sound; it was magic.

“Zakir Bhai”, as he was lovingly called, didn’t just play music; he visualised it. Whenever I saw him — whether in photographs, videos, or live performances — he was always in his element. Seated with his tablas, a shawl draped over his legs, his gaze intense and focused, he was surrounded by an aura that felt almost divine. His eyes, those expressive eyes, seemed to see the rhythm before it even began. Watching him play was like watching someone paint a masterpiece, but instead of colors, he worked in beats. His eyes would flutter, almost like he was tracing the rhythm in his mind, before his fingers brought it to life. He could create a heartbeat on a tabla, or the resonance of a shankha (conch) or damru, sound like a melody — creating music from anything he touched, as if unstoppable.

Ustad ji not only redefined the tabla, but revolutionised how the world viewed the instrument. What once was considered the accompaniment to melodies became the voice of its own, a powerhouse of artistry. His Grammy win elevated the tabla from a mere accompaniment to a virtuoso instrument, opening doors for future maestros and cementing its global status. Ustad ji was the living proof that one could take a traditional instrument and make a grand living from it — all while elevating the perception of the instrument worldwide.

A True Ambassador Of Indian Classical Music

His artistry wasn’t confined to the tabla alone. Zakir ji’s versatility extended beyond the stage and into cinema. In films like Saaz, he didn’t just act; he embodied what it meant to be an artiste, someone whose very being was intertwined with their craft.

In his interview with Simi Garewal, he spoke about how being an artiste was his 9-to-5 job — but in a way that only someone of his stature could articulate. He explained how an artiste spends months immersed in their work, often at the cost of personal relationships, but how that immersion was essential for the artiste’s survival. Without art, he explained, life became suffocating.

His dedication to his craft was evident not just in his music, but in the way he lived. I remember how he never seemed to be without his tabla. It was an extension of him, as much a part of his being as his breath. And always, there was that shawl draped over his legs — a humble yet signature element of his presence. He had the aura of a guru, the respect that one gives to a teacher, but also the charm of a man who could captivate a room with nothing more than a smile and the rhythm of his hands.

I was fortunate to see him perform live twice, and each experience remains etched in my memory. The first was in India, with the legendary Kathak dancer Pandit Rajendra Gangani. I was just a child, maybe 11 or 12, and although I didn’t fully understand what was happening, I could feel the electricity in the air. Ustad ji and Guruji were in perfect sync, each beat from his tabla perfectly complementing the dancer’s footwork. I couldn’t take my eyes off him, his black kurta flowing as his fingers flew across the tabla, creating a dialogue between rhythm and movement that left the audience in awe.

The second time I saw him perform was at O'Shaughnessy in Minnesota, USA, in 2018, alongside Pandit Birju Maharaj. It was another breathtaking experience, where two of the greatest artists of our time shared the stage. Their energy, their affection for each other, and the way they communicated through their art was divine. I came close to meeting Zakir ji backstage. My husband snapped photos, and though I was starstruck, I didn’t want to disturb him. He was wearing a white kurta, looking a little frail, but that trademark charisma was still there — a charisma that could light up any room.

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Zakir Hussain's Legacy Will Live On In Every Beat, Every Rhythm

Ustad ji’s influence wasn’t limited to India. He took the tabla to global stages, collaborating with artistes from across the world and breaking boundaries that seemed impossible to cross. But it wasn’t just his music that made him special; it was the way he embodied every note he played. His humility, his love for his art, and the way he could connect with audiences from every culture and background made him a true ambassador for Indian classical music.

In the years to come, his music will continue to inspire countless others, and his legacy will live on in every beat, every rhythm. For those of us who grew up watching him, his passing is a deep loss — but we take comfort in knowing that his music will never truly end. The curtain may have fallen, but his audience still hears the rhythm.

I’ll leave you with a memory that is as iconic as the man himself — the Baje Sargam Har Taraf Se Goonje Bankar Desh Raag national integration performance reflecting our communal harmony through art, where Ustad ji performed alongside his father, Ustad Allah Rakha. His curly hair, his hero-like smile, and the rhythmic magic that seemed to pulse through the nation — it was more than just a performance. It was a moment when the entire country was united by the beats of the tabla.

Rest in rhythm, Ustad Zakir Hussain ji. Your music and work will continue to resonate for generations to come and your legacy will live forever!

Yours truly,
A humble student fortunate to have walked the same earth and shared time in your presence.

The author is a Kathak dancer, educator and a communications professional.

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