The family of Ustad Allah Rakha Khan, Ustad Fazal Qureshi and Ustad Ustad Taufiq Quereshi along with many senior musicians paid a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Tabla Maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain. His students and the music fraternity celebrated his legacy and contributions to the world of Indian Classical Music and especially Tabla as a musical Instrument, at a prayer meeting held in the memory of the legendary Tabla maestro.
Pandit Yogesh Samsi began the heartfelt homage to the great tabla maestro on behalf of Allah Rakha Khan family, Antonia Minnecola wife of Ustad Zakir Hussain and his two daughters, Anisa and Isabella Qureshi and his entire family of students.
He said, "Zakir Bhai was a rare gem created by God, who won the heart of music lovers across the globe. He was like a big brother, guru and a visionary to us.He was like a sun to inspire not only his own shishya's but the music lovers of the entire world. What he did for the propagation of Tabla as an instrument is incredible, and it is difficult to have such musicians. He has completed one Avaryan ( circle of life), and has reached the Sam, May he rejoice his next journey."
Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar, paid a heartfelt tribute to the Tabla maestro, said, "I on behalf of Maharashtra Government and CM Devendra Fernandis and 14 crore Maharashtra citizens pay homage to Ustad Zakir Hussain. I met him first time in Nasik when I was just a corporator, I had never seen such a humbled artist of his stature. It was once in his program in Nagpur where all the police commissioners, and ministers reached to listen to him.At the same time there was some lathi charge on an Adivasi Samaj Morcha which caused a stampede leading to a death and injury of a few Adivasi's who were hospitalised. Ustadji came to know about the incident and he felt the pain for the person who died and reached the hospital and donated his entire event fee for the treatment of Adivasi's, such was his compassion and persona. As a musician he took his listeners to a state of absolute bliss and I pray to almighty that he be in absolute bliss now and attain Mukti, Om Shanti."
Present on the occasion were Vidushi N Rajam, Pandit Suresh Tawalkar, Santoor Maestro Rahul Sarma, Sarangi Maestro Sabir Khan, Music composer Louis Banks and lyricist Javed Akhtar and VP Shanmikhananda Sabha amongst many musicians who came to pay their tribute.
Spiritual Guru Murari Bapuji sent a video message to pay homage to Ustad Zakir Hussain. He said," He presented his tabla performances at our Hanuman temple for many years. He was very sensitive towards the artists with whom he performed irrespective of someone being a veteran artist or a new comer. He would always support and encourage them on stage, which is a very big quality in an artist which makes his real stature. It was too early for him to leave, I pray to for his noble soul, Jai Siya Ram."
Pandit Nayan Ghosh remembered Ustad Zakir Hussain with whom he had grown up since early childhood, He said, "I can only say the world will miss him, and I pray to God to recharge our Indian music again with such a musician, as he was a very powerful power bank for Indian classical music."
Pandit Anando Chatterjee shared his homage on a video message said, " I knew Zakir Bhai for over five decades and in one sentence I can say Ustad Zakir Husain was the 8th wonder of the world. He was one of the greatest tabla maestros of all times. He leant tabla from his father and also many Ustads especially Ustad Tirakhwa Khan Saheb, while, he digested various styles of music and incorporated it in his own style of presentation. He was an excellent soloist, but also an excellent accompanist too. He collaborated with so many international artists, to explore various genres of music.He never had a lazy time in his life, as he was always creating music.It's a great irreplaceable loss for Indian classical music and his music lives on till this world exists."
Vidushi N Rajam said," We all know the soul which has come, has to go back,that's nature and we have to accept it. I met Zakir Bhai at a very young age when I started my career. I went to meet Ustad Allah Rakha Khan Saheb when he lived in Mahim. He asked me to play violin, after playing for 2-3 minutes he stopped me and called Zakir to play with me, who was 10 years old and was playing cricket at that time. He played tabla with me for sometime and then when I finished he asked my leave to go back and play again. He had such an innocence and charisma, a magic in himself and his craft, till the end. That's why we all are here who love him so much. I pray to God to give strength to his family to bear this irreplaceable loss and his soul to rest in peace."