Grammy jury Pt Prodyut Mukherjee plans a special tribute to Ustad Zakir Hussain

Legendary Ustad Zakir Hussain will be remembered through a special project conceived by Gima Awardee, Grammy jury Pt Prodyut Mukherjee shortly.

Pt Prodyut Mukherjee said, “
It was a dark day for Indian classical music. The popularity of the tabla in Indian classical music has only been possible because of Zakir Bhai. Zakir Bhai increased the popularity of Indian classical music from America to Europe, from Europe to Africa to the whole world with his music. His popularity was so high that wherever he played in any part of the world, he got an overwhelming response.

Zakir Bhai was not only a tabla maestro. He was a versatile musician. He was a global icon. On the one hand, he was an extraordinary tabla player, on the other hand, he was an extraordinary music composer and actor. He was a very kind-hearted person.” Pt Mukherjee added, “Since I was 24-25 years old, I used to live in Los Angeles. I used to perform there and conduct tabla classes. Zakir Bhai used to live in San Francisco.

At that time, when I was in California, I used to go to Zakir bhai’s place and got many tips. His popularity could not be understood by seeing him in person. He was always very happy and loved every artist very much.

He was so humble… One incident, when I first met him in America, I called him Ustad Ji, he told me that I am not Ustad Ji, I am only Zakir Hossain, you just call me Zakir Bhai, that is how humble this can be said. And with him, he was the master of the masters.” He also added, ” I have planned to pay a special tribute to Zakir Bhai in a unique way shortly.”