Shankar Mahadevan Pays Tribute To Zakir Hussain On His 75th Birth Anniversary

Singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan paid a heartfelt tribute to the legendary tabla maestro Zakir Hussain on what would have been the musician’s 75th birth anniversary, remembering their long-standing musical association and the profound influence Hussain had on his life and career.

Taking to social media, Mahadevan shared a nostalgic photograph with the late percussion virtuoso and reflected on the years they spent performing, travelling, and learning together. The singer said he felt fortunate to have shared nearly 25 years of musical experiences with Hussain, describing the maestro as an irreplaceable mentor and inspiration in his artistic journey.

In his emotional message, Mahadevan acknowledged the deep impact Hussain had on shaping his musical path, noting that his own journey in music would have been incomplete without the guidance and companionship of the legendary tabla player.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest percussionists of his generation, Zakir Hussain was the eldest son of legendary tabla maestro Alla Rakha and played a pivotal role in bringing Indian classical music to global audiences through collaborations across genres including classical, jazz, and world music.

Hussain passed away in December 2024 at the age of 73, but his musical legacy continues to inspire generations of artists and listeners around the world.

Mahadevan’s tribute joins the many messages from across the music fraternity celebrating the life, artistry, and enduring influence of the tabla icon on his milestone birth anniversary.