Zakir Hussain's tryst with Malayalam cinema and musical sojourns in Kerala

Ustad Zakir Hussain, who dabbled with tables, and plates and all and sundry to enter the magical realm of music at the tender age of three, also had a brief fling with Mollywood. The Ustad had a special liking for Malayalam and had scores of fans in Kerala. He was the music director for Mohanlal-starrer 'Vanaprastham.' Though he did the music for only one film, his legion of followers embraced that.
As Zakir Hussain remains etched in Malayali psyche, here's a peek into his multifarious achievements in the realm of music. Zakir Hussain was the music director of the famous Wah Taaj commercial of Taj Tea. Hussain also played the tabla for 'Vanaprastham.' He also did the music for 'In Custody,' 'The Mystic Masseur,' 'Mr and Mrs Iyer,' 'Hindi film Saaz,' 'British movie Heat and Dust,' 'Miss Beatty’s Children,' and 'Manto.' Apart from this, Hussain played the Tabla for Apocalypse Now and Little Buddha. Hussain was the music composer for inaugural function of the Atlanta Olympics.

The Malayali connection
Hussain’s first noted album Shakthi had a Malayali connection. Its violinist L Shankar’s father V Lakhsminarayana Iyer hails from Allappuzha. Zakir Hussain also got in touch with legendary Palakkad Mani Iyer at young age- for a recording and even considered Iyer as the greatest mridangam expert of the century.

The actor
Zakir Hussain was also a versatile actor. He has had stints in British movies 'Heat and Dust,' 'Perfect Murder,' 'Miss Beatty’s Children,' and 'Saaz.' He was also associated with documentaries, including 'Zakir and His Friends,' 'The Speaking Hands,' 'Zakir Hussain and the art of the Indian Drum,' 'Thalamanam Sound Clash- Tabla Beat Science,' 'Way of Beauty- Remember Shakti,' and 'The Rythm Devils’ Concert Experience. Zakir Hussain was also a tutor and held several workshops and classes in Princeton University and Stanford, where he was also a visiting professor. In 2015, he was also a Regent Lecturer in Berkley University.

Zakir’s Family

Noted Kathak exponent Antonia Minnecola is Zakir Hussain’s wife. He is also survived by daughters Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi. Ansisa, a Los Angeles varsity graduate works in movies, while Isabella is a dancer. Taufiq Qureshi and Fazal Qureshi are his brothers.

Zakir Hussain was the fourth child of Ustaad Allarakha, born after his three elder sisters. Allarakha was in critical condition in a Mahim nursing home when Zakir was born. His mom Bavi Vegum even believed that Allarakha’s misfortune coincided with his son’s birth. A Sufi saint who arrived at their place a few days after Zakir was born consoled her.

He proclaimed that the child was good omen and that Allarakha will soon be cured. The Sufi saint also wanted the child to be named Zakir Hussain. The Sufi saint’s words had a prophetic effect as Allarakha was cured. The child was given the name Zakir Hussain, and not Qureshi, the family tag. As Allarakha got his first feel of Zakir, he whispered in the child’s ear bol, or the nuances of Tabla. That was his first education. When Ustaad Allarakha passed away in 2000, Zakir Hussain was at the Malabar Festival in Kozhikode.