Five-time Grammy Award-winning world-renowned tabla player Zakir Hussain passed away at the age of 73 in America on Saturday. Veteran poet and singer Talat Aziz was very close to him. Talat Aziz spoke about Zakir Hussain in an exclusive conversation with Frontpage Insights. Watch highlights of the conversation here…
Will Zakir Hussain's body be brought to India or will he be cremated in America? His wife is there. Although she is of Italian origin, she lives in America. He wanted Zakir Hussain Sahab to be cremated there. He has two daughters, but they are not from the music field.
When did you meet Zakir Hussain Sahib recently? We met during an event 6 months ago. His health was not good at that time. They came wearing masks and had become emaciated. When I asked, he said, 'Brother, I have to be careful, I am still not fully recovered due to covid.'
He had a heart problem for two years. Was in ICU for only two weeks. There was a problem with the lungs. He used to come to India every year in October and stay here till March.
You have often participated in events with Zakir Hussain Sahib, any special memories you would like to share with him? When we used to go to Banaras together in the 80s. I would like to share a memory from there. One day we had a program in BHU. Pandit Kishan Maharaj was sitting in that program. He said that Banaras is a city of very talented people. There are amazing people who listen to music. You did really amazing today. Where Pandit Ravi Shankar Sahib and Allah Rakha Khan Sahib advanced Indian music, Zakirbhai has taken it to the world stage.
Some special memories during your stay in America? In 2002, he went on tour to America. Zakir Sahib came to meet and took us to his house. Went with his wife to an Italian restaurant, where we had dinner. From there he himself came to drop me at my hotel in his car.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
