Late tabla maestro Zakir Hussain once recalled a heartwarming memory of his father, the legendary Alla Rakha, holding him in his arms for the first time. Speaking about this moment eight years ago, Zakir shared how his father welcomed him into the world not with prayers, but with tabla rhythms. According to a report by PTI, Zakir explained that the tradition was for a father to recite prayers in the newborn’s ear, offering blessings.
However, when Alla Rakha cradled his son, he instead placed his lips near Zakir’s ear and played tabla rhythms. Zakir recalled, “My mother was furious. She said, ‘What are you doing? You’re supposed to say prayers, not rhythms.’ To which my father replied, ‘These are my prayers. I worship Goddess Saraswati and Lord Ganesh.’” This was a devout Muslim man speaking, emphasizing that these rhythms were his form of worship, a practice passed down from his teachers and something he wanted to share with his son.
Zakir Hussain, who passed away due to complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, was born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai. Acknowledged for his mastery, he received several prestigious honors, including the Padma Shri in 1988, Padma Bhushan in 2002, and Padma Vibhushan in 2023. In his early years, Zakir’s dedication to his craft was evident.
He attended St. Michael’s School in Mahim and St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai. He even traveled by train with his tabla, ensuring the instruments were not touched by anyone’s feet. If he couldn’t find a seat, he would sleep on the floor, cradling his tabla in his lap to protect it.
