Great musician, extraordinary human being and biryani lover: How Pune remembers the genius of Zakir Hussain

Throughout Monday, as news of Hussain’s death was confirmed, music lovers shared their memories of watching him play. Almost everybody, who has ever “met” Hussain through his music, had an anecdote to share. Surendra Mohite, a tabla player and founder of Savani Events, who had known Hussain for more than 40 years, attests to the pull that the legend exercised over the musical firmament in the country and overseas – and how he reciprocated the love.

“Though I was the organiser of the Savani concerts, Zakir bhai was behind the concept and every decision. He enjoyed the musical environment of Pune and sought to enrich it,” says Mohite. He talks passionately about the maestro’s love for the tabla and his “greatness even in personal life”. “Few people know that Zakir bhai was a foodie and eager to try out different kinds of dishes in the cities where he travelled. From 2017, due to his health, he has become careful about what he ate. He didn’t eat a lot but ensured that what was on his plate was delicious,” says Mohite. Biryani was a favourite of Hussain and, in October, Mohite had to carry the flavorful dish from a Pune establishment to the musician in Mumbai.

Almost everybody, who has ever “met” Hussain through his music, had an anecdote to share. (Express Photo)

Then, there was Hussain’s attitude to money. “He used to help people financially without even counting the money. I have seen him give money to liftmen and, sometimes, this would be Rs 2,000 and, sometimes, Rs 10,000. He never asked an organiser for the amount he was going to get,” says Mohite.

As news of Hussain’s death was confirmed, music lovers shared their memories of watching him play. (Express Photo)

Pt Suresh Talwalkar, who had first watched Hussain play when the latter was five and he, himself, was eight, says the music world and even people who are not musicians are plunged in mourning. “He had permeated the imaginations of the general people. His art had become so powerful that he benefited other tabla players and tabla karigars as well. Today, even a child who plays the tabla wants to become another Zakir Hussain,” he says. Pt Talwalkar has followed Hussain’s career and last heard him perform in July and says that there was no change in his urja or energy. “He was a great maharathi of tabla but was among the most humble human beings. There was no sense of competition, envy or ego in him. He was very simple. His greatness was in the kind of person he was – that is why it is difficult to forget the impact of his music,” says Pt Talwalkar.

Vocalist Rahul Deshpande, who is travelling, received the news with shock. “I am heartbroken. It feels like a profound personal loss, as well as an immense loss to the world and the music community. His departure so early was entirely unexpected. He was not only an extraordinary artist but also an inspiring human being. The way he lived his life and approached his art serves as a powerful lesson for me as an artist. My heartfelt condolences,” says Deshpande.