Zakir Hussain Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics

Zakir Hussain is an Indian tabla maestro, music composer, percussionist, music producer, and film actor who is widely regarded as one of the greatest tabla players of all time and the pre-eminent practitioner of the art in modern times. He has released numerous studio albums with the fusion bands Shakti and Remember Shakti that he has been a part of, for decades. He has been honored with Padma Shri (1988) and the Padma Bhushan (2002), the 4th and 3rd highest civilian honors respectively, in India.

Born Name

Zakir Hussain

Nick Name

Zakir

Sun Sign

Pisces

Born Place

Mahim, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Residence

San Anselmo, Marin County, California, United States

Nationality

Education

Zakir had attended St. Michael’s High School and then, briefly, St. Xavier’s College, both in Mumbai. After moving to the United States, he had planned to study for a Ph.D. degree but had dropped out of the course midway to fill a vacant spot for a tabla player in a classical music troupe.

Occupation

Tabla Player, Music Composer, Percussionist, Music Producer, Film Actor

Family

• Father – Allarakha Qureshi (Tabla Maestro) (d. February 2000)
• Mother – Bavi Begum
• Siblings – Fazal Qureshi (Younger Brother) (Tabla Player), Taufiq Qureshi (Younger Brother) (Music Composer, Percussionist), Razia Khan (née Qureshi) (Sister) (d. February 2000), Khurshid Aulia (née Qureshi) (Sister), Munawar Qureshi (Younger Brother) (Deceased), Bilquis Qureshi (Older Sister) (Deceased)
• Others – Geetika Varde (Sister-in-Law), Sabir Rakha (Paternal Uncle) (Tabla Player), Roohi Bano (Younger Step-Sister) (Actress) (d. January 2019), Rubina Yasmeen (Step-Sister), Shikhar Naad Qureshi (Nephew) (Drummer), Taylor Phillips (Son-in-Law) (Film Producer), Zara (Granddaughter)

Manager

He is represented by –

• Dean Shultz, Booking Agent, IMG Artists, New York City, New York, United States
• Antonia Minnecola, Manager, Moment! Records, San Anselmo, Marin County, California, United States
• Dennis McNally, PR Agent, Dennis McNally Productions, San Francisco, California, United States

Genre

Hindustani Classical, Jazz Fusion, World Music

Instruments

Tabla, Pakhawaj

Labels

• Moment Records
• HMV

Build

Average

Height

5 ft 7 in or 170 cm

Weight

70 kg or 154.5 lbs

Girlfriend / Spouse

Zakir has dated –

1. Antonia Minnecola (1978–Present) – Zakir got married to Kathak dancer and teacher Antonia Minnecola in 1978 and they have 2 daughters together named Isabella Qureshi (Dancer) and Anisa Qureshi (Film Producer). Antonia has also served as Zakir’s manager.

Race / Ethnicity

Asian (Indian)

Hair Color

Black

Eye Color

Dark Brown

Sexual Orientation

Straight

Distinctive Features

• Curly hair
• Cheerful smile
• Witty demeanor
• Clean-shaven look

Brand Endorsements

Zakir has been featured in the TV commercials for –

• Taj Mahal tea
• Hajmola
• Tata Capital

Zakir Hussain Facts

1. Even though his family’s last name is Qureshi, Zakir was given the surname Hussain by his father.
2. A child prodigy, his father had trained him in the art and skills of playing both Tabla and Pakhawaj from the age of 3. He had performed his first concert when he was 7.
3. He began touring the world for live shows by the age of 11, and in 1970, had accompanied Sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar for a tour of the United States. At the end of the tour, it was on Ravi Shankar’s advice that he stayed on in the United States.
4. In 1990, he was honored with the ‘Indo-American Award’ in recognition of his contribution to the cultural relations between the United States and India.

Featured Image by Zakir Hussain / Instagram