Zakir Hussain is globally recognized as the tabla maestro, often seen with a warm smile. However, it may come as a surprise that he once surpassed actor Amitabh Bachchan in being named the 'sexiest man.' This revelation was made during a discussion with author Nasreen Munni Kabir for her book, Zakir Hussain: A Life in Music. Zakir passed away in the early hours of December 16 after a prolonged illness.

Zakir's title of sexiest man

In 1994, Zakir was recognized as the "sexiest man" by female readers of the Indian magazine Gentleman, triumphing over notable figures such as Amitabh Bachchan. Zakir recounted to Nasreen that the magazine's team approached him with a request to don various suits, jackets, and Western attire for their cover shoot. He noted that they were both astonished and taken aback by his victory, as they had anticipated that Amitabh Bachchan would emerge as the winner, according to a report by the news agency PTI.

About Zakir Hussain

Zakir passed away from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a lung condition, at a hospital in San Francisco early on Monday. He was 73 years old. He is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, and their two daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi. Zakir was the son of the esteemed tabla player, Alla Rakha.

He gave his first performance at the age of seven and began touring by the age of twelve. After completing his education in Mumbai, his birthplace, he relocated to the United States in 1970. Earlier this year, he made history by becoming the first Indian musician to win three Grammys at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, receiving accolades for Best Global Music Album, Best Global Music Performance, and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.

In addition to his four Grammy Awards, Zakir received numerous accolades and honours, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the National Heritage Fellowship in the USA, and the title of Officier in France's Order of Arts and Letters.

Zakir was a tabla maestro, percussionist, composer, and even an actor—a legendary figure who was both a national treasure of India and a global icon. The artist, a prominent name in both India and internationally, leaves behind a legacy of over 60 years of musical contributions.

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