Zakir Hussain (musician)

Zakir Hussain was taught tabla from early childhood by his father, Alla Rakha, and became the instrument's most famous ambassador, playing with Shakti, Mickey Hart and countless Hindustani masters. He taught for decades and accompanied dancers and singers as faithfully as he collaborated across genres. When he won three Grammys in a single night in 2024, months before his death that December, it was recognition for a tradition as much as a player.