This article is about Zakir Hussain, the tabla player. There is a separate article about Dr Zakir Hussain, the former Indian president.

Zakir Hussain (born March 9, 1951), son of tabla maestro Ustad Allarakha, is the probably the most famous classical tabla player in India today. Zakir trained under his father and started playing tabla when he was quite young. He was often hailed as a child prodigy.

Zakir has won many awards and recognitions for his contribution to the world of music. He has worked with many western and Indian artists alike, and has produced many works for fusion, perhaps most notably with John McLaughlin in Shakti in 1975. Although Shakti was disbanded a few years later, it reunited under the name Remember Shakti. He has also tried his hands at composing music for movies; notable movies are In Custody by Ismail Merchant, Bernardo Bertolucci's Little Buddha, and Heat and Dust. Several recognitions for Zakir's talent include the 1999 National Heritage Fellowship in the U.S., an award given to outstanding artists in traditional arts.

Discography

• And the rhythm experience (1998)
• Magical moments of rhythm (1997)
• Music of the Deserts (1993)
• The one and only (1992)
• Making Music (1987)

Awards and accolades

• Awarded the civilian honour of Padma Shri by the Indian government in 1988
• Planet Drum (Produced by Zakir) awarded Grammy for Best World Music album in 1992
• Awarded the title of Padma Bhushan by the Indian government in 2002 for his contributions to the field of Indian music