Zakir Hussain's Legacy: From Grammy To Padma Vibhushan, Full List Of Awards Of Tabla Legend

Starting his musical journey at the age of seven, Hussain made remarkable contributions to both Indian and global music.

In a career spanning over six decades, Zakir Hussain received numerous accolades, including four Grammy Awards.

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Renowned tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, who had been hospitalised for two weeks, passed away in San Francisco, his family confirmed on Monday. The 73-year-old musician succumbed to complications arising from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Starting his musical journey at the age of seven, Hussain made remarkable contributions to both Indian and global music.

In a career spanning over six decades, Zakir Hussain received numerous accolades, including four Grammy Awards, three of which he won at the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year. A celebrated percussionist and one of India’s most revered classical musicians, he was also honored with the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.

Prestigious Awards and Honors Conferred on Zakir Hussain

Zakir Hussain's illustrious career earned him widespread recognition and numerous prestigious awards for his contributions to music. Below is a glimpse of the accolades bestowed upon the tabla legend:

• Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1990): Conferred by the President of India, Hussain became one of the youngest recipients of this honor, awarded by India’s National Academy of Music, Dance, and Drama.
• Padma Awards: Hussain was honored with the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023 for his unparalleled contributions to Indian music.
• Indo-American Award (1990): This award recognized his outstanding role in strengthening cultural ties between India and the United States.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Zakir Hussain (@zakirhq9)

• Grammy Achievements:
  • In 1992, Hussain co-created the album Planet Drum with Mickey Hart, which won the inaugural Grammy Award for Best World Music Album, along with the Downbeat Critics' Poll for Best World Beat Album and the NARM Indie Best Seller Award for World Music Recording.
  • In 2009, he received the Grammy for Best Contemporary World Music Album for Global Drum Project, a collaborative album with Mickey Hart, Sikiru Adepoju, and Giovanni Hidalgo.
  • At the 66th Grammy Awards in 2024, Hussain made history as the first Indian to win three Grammy Awards in a single night.
• National Heritage Fellowship (1999): Awarded by the United States National Endowment for the Arts, this is the highest honor for traditional artists and musicians in the USA.

Zakir Hussain’s legacy as a pioneer in Indian classical music and his impact on world music will continue to inspire generations to come.