Zakir Hussain in Interview: Sleeping in School, Learning Music at Night and Melding Traditions

Zakir Hussain was playing at a Mumbai concert at 3.30 am with Ravi Shankar – his father the legendary Allah Rakha seated in the front row – when news of him receiving the Padma Shri arrived from the nearby Times of India offices. Hussain saw the buzz off stage and thought somebody had died. Once Shankar was done playing, the announcer whispered into Shankar's ears. Shankar smiled and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, Ustad Zakir Hussain has won the Padma Shri." This was the first time Shankar had called Hussain an 'Ustad'. His father was soon up on the stage with a garland. It was a special and emotional experience for Hussain, he says in his BBC 'Face-to-Face' interview with Karan Thapar. There are more stories in this archival treasure. Watch the full interview from 2000 Join The Wire's Youtube Membership and get exclusive content, member-only emojis, live interaction with The Wire's founders, editors and reporters and much more. Memberships to The Wire Crew start at Rs 89/month.    / @thewirenews