Zakir Hussain, whose contribution to the music industry is unmatchable, left everyone saddened by his demise in the wee hours of December 16, 2024. The tabla maestro suffered from complications caused by idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which is a rare and progressive lung condition. He was hospitalised in San Francisco and breathed his last on December 16 at the age of 73. Amid this heartbreaking news, several old anecdotes of the tabla maestro have been making rounds. Well, in one of his interviews, Zakir Hussain revealed some stories behind his long hair.
While the world is familiar with his skills as a tabla player, the four-time Grammy winner, Zakir Hussain became a household name with his stint in an advertisement for the commercial of a brand, Taj Mahal Tea. The ad featured Zakir Hussain running his fingers smoothly on the tabla with his charming face and curly hair. Everyone demanded that the tabla maestro shouldn't cut his hair. Not just the viewers, but also the company of that tea brand also wanted Zakir not to cut his hair.
As per a report by Mid-day, Zakir Hussain once talked about his long curly hair. Talking about the ad for the tea brand, Zakir Hussain jokingly added that he couldn't showcase his tabla playing skills in a 30-second ad, but he could move his head. He further added that even though his hair was falling out, he was not allowed to cut his own hair as he was the ambassador of the brand. The late tabla player reportedly said:
“I could not showcase my musical skills in 30 seconds but I could make my head move. I am their goodwill ambassador and I’m not allowed to cut my hair even though it’s falling out."
Yet in another interview, Zakir Hussain talked about his long hair, and shared why he wanted it to grow and didn't cut it. He stated that he had short hair and he had noticed some hippies with long hair. Talking more about the same, Zakir Hussain shared that during his first year of college, he was earning 25 USD a week, thus, it was not affordable for him to go to a salon for a haircut. The tabla maestro further added that he was inspired by the artists of the Rock 'n' roll group, Shanti in terms of keeping long hair. Zakir Hussain could be quoted as saying:
"I had short hair but I noticed some hippies with long hair. I couldn’t afford haircuts with my earnings of just $25 (Rs 2120) a week during my first year in college. So I started letting it grow. I was also inspired by other artists in the rock ‘n’ roll group Shanti, where I performed."
In an old interview, Ustad ji, Zakir Hussain shared that one should express the music, not just with sound so that people can only hear, but to try to make it in a way that people can be able to visualise what they are hearing. Ustad ji added that when he expresses music, he tries to make the visualisation and uses his hands, face, and hair to do the same. He also remarked that hair is also important to visualise the emotion that is being expressed through the music.
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Ustad Zakir Hussain is immortal with the incredible legacy that he left behind, which will resonate for generations to come!
Also Read: Zakir Hussain's Father Recited Tabla Rhythms In His Ears After His Birth Instead Of Chanting Prayers
