Zakir Hussain Attributes His Tabla Career to George Harrison of The Beatles.
Legendary tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain has often spoken about the influential figures in his life, but one of the most surprising and significant connections he credits for shaping his career is none other than George Harrison, the lead guitarist of The Beatles.
Hussain, who is widely regarded as one of the finest tabla players in the world, believes that it was Harrison who played a pivotal role in propelling his tabla career to international acclaim.
Born in 1951 in Mumbai, India, Zakir Hussain grew up in a family steeped in musical tradition.
His father, Ustad Allah Rakha, was one of the most prominent tabla maestros of his time, and his early exposure to music came from a rich heritage of classical Indian music.
Hussain’s initial training in tabla was intense, and he quickly developed a reputation as a young prodigy.
He began performing at the age of 12, earning admiration for his virtuosity and technical mastery.
However, it was his unexpected encounter with George Harrison in the 1970s that would mark a turning point in Hussain’s life and career.
By then, Harrison had already become fascinated with Indian music, particularly the sitar, which he had learned to play under the tutelage of the legendary sitar master Ravi Shankar.
Harrison’s deep interest in Indian classical music would eventually lead him to explore other elements of the genre, including the tabla.
The two musicians first met in 1971, when Harrison invited Zakir Hussain to join him and his band in a musical collaboration.
The meeting, which took place in London, was part of Harrison’s efforts to blend Western rock music with Indian sounds.
Hussain’s tabla playing would soon become a key feature of the experimental fusion projects Harrison was working on, including his involvement in the recording of the iconic album *All Things Must Pass*, released in 1970.
In interviews, Hussain has shared how Harrison’s admiration for Indian classical music helped him understand the global appeal of his art.
According to Hussain, Harrison saw the tabla as not just an instrument of Indian classical music but as a tool for connecting cultures.
Hussain’s unique approach to tabla, which combined traditional techniques with contemporary sounds, resonated deeply with Harrison, who was constantly seeking new ways to expand his musical horizons.
For Hussain, playing alongside Harrison in the 1970s was an eye-opening experience.
It was a chance to expose Indian classical music to a much wider audience, especially Western listeners who had been introduced to the genre through Harrison’s interest in the sitar.
Hussain recalls being initially overwhelmed by the recognition and attention he received from Western audiences, many of whom had never heard tabla played in such a context before.
This was also a time when Indian music was gaining traction in the West, and Harrison’s influence played a critical role in bridging the gap between Eastern and Western musical traditions.
Zakir Hussain also became part of the ensemble for some of Harrison’s concert tours, most notably during the *Concert for Bangladesh* in 1971, which is often considered one of the first major charity concerts in history.
This performance, which included collaborations with other prominent musicians like Ravi Shankar, Eric Clapton, and Bob Dylan, was a watershed moment in both Hussain’s career and the exposure of Indian music to the world.
It was an event that proved that Indian music could thrive on an international stage, and Hussain’s presence in these performances solidified his role as a bridge between cultures.
Beyond the stage, Harrison and Hussain formed a close personal bond. Hussain speaks fondly of how Harrison’s spiritual approach to music inspired him to rethink the way he played and viewed the tabla.
Harrison, a follower of Indian spiritual leader Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, deeply respected the meditative and transcendent qualities of Indian music.
For Hussain, the experience of working with Harrison was transformative, not just musically, but spiritually as well.
He describes Harrison as being deeply respectful of the ancient traditions of Indian music and its ability to convey deep emotions and a sense of connection to the divine.
In the years that followed, Hussain would continue to carve out his own path as a solo artist, performer, and composer.
However, he always acknowledged that his career trajectory was deeply shaped by his time with George Harrison.
Through Harrison, Hussain gained exposure to a global audience and began performing with other international musicians, including those in the jazz and world music scenes.
His collaborations with musicians like John McLaughlin, Peter Gabriel, and Mickey Hart are well known, but it was Harrison who initially opened the door to these opportunities.
Today, Zakir Hussain is regarded as one of the most innovative and respected tabla players in the world.
He has continued to push the boundaries of his art form, incorporating elements of jazz, world music, and even electronic music into his compositions.
His extensive catalog of work, which includes both traditional tabla performances and cross-cultural collaborations, has earned him countless accolades and awards, including the prestigious Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian honors.
Despite his immense success, Hussain remains humble and consistently credits George Harrison as a key figure in his rise to international fame.
In various interviews, Hussain has emphasized that it was Harrison’s vision and dedication to promoting Indian music to the world that made a lasting impact on his career.
He often reflects on how Harrison helped him break through the limitations of being solely an Indian classical musician, allowing him to experiment and innovate within new musical contexts.
Zakir Hussain’s story is a testament to the power of cross-cultural collaboration and the transformative potential of music.
Through his association with George Harrison, Hussain was able to share the rich tradition of Indian classical music with the world, and in doing so, he became a vital force in the global music community.
While Harrison’s influence on Hussain’s career cannot be overstated, it is clear that Hussain’s own brilliance as a tabla player has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest musicians of his generation.
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