Tabla virtuoso Ustad Zakir Hussain is no more. The magical hands that took Indian music to the world stage have departed after performing a yeoman’s service. It was an unexpected passing that got mixed with some late-night drama.

Ustad Zakir Hussain died in America at the age of 73. Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Zakir Hussain were the triumvirates who carried the great tradition of Indian music to the world. Zakir Hussain, born as the son of Allah Rakha, left an indelible mark on Indian music even during his childhood years. It was impossible for the son of legendary tabla player Allah Rakha to opt for any other profession than playing tabla.

Born in Mahim, a suburb of Mumbai, Zakir Hussain's taste in music was evident from the age of three. His first attempt was at the dinner table. Not many eyes captured it but the beat was enough for Allah Rakha to gauge his son’s precocious talent. Having risen through the ranks as his father's disciple in the Punjab gharana on tabla, Zakir shared the stage with sarod expert Ustad Ali Akbar Khan at the age of seven. At the age of 12, he played tabla independently with Ali Akbar Khan himself. He has worked with musical marvels like Ravi Shankar and Bismillah Khan to English artistes like George Harrison and even Rakesh Chaurasya.

Innate talent, relentless pursuit, endless dreams and a matchless tutelage from his musician father ensured Zakir Hussain turned into one of the greatest artists of all time. Zakir Hussain’s maverick hands-on Tabla blended with the santoor playing of Shivakumar Sharma, the flute playing of Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia and the vocals of Amjad Ali Khan never failed to push people into a musical trance.

He teamed up with violinist L. Shankar, along with guitarist John McLaughlin, mridanga player Ramnand Raghav and ghatam player Viku Vinayaka Ram, for the prominent fusion band 'Shakti', which blended Hindustani-Carnatic music with Western music. It was a rave during the times.

Zakir Hussain was not a hero of the good old days. The legend even cultivated fans among the Gen Z tribes. The outpouring of grief on social media today vindicates the same. Zakir's triumphant journey of accolades including Grammy stages that spanned seven decades will arguably be the zenith of Indian music.

The 'Zakir Touch' of tabla will remain an inspiration for the new generation to hop into the tabla milieu. The physical presence and the charm would be missed but Zakir’s music is etched in every heart that beats. The legend of the magical fingers will tour the world in years ahead. Adieu legend,