The Moment Pandit Ravi Shankar First Called Zakir Hussain 'Ustad'
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Mumbai, December 16 (NationPress) Ustad Zakir Hussain, who sadly passed away on Monday, December 16, at the age of 73, holds the distinction of being the youngest Indian to be honored with the Padma Shri award.
It was during this time that he was first referred to as 'Ustad' by Pandit Ravi Shankar. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1988.
In a memorable interview with the national broadcaster DD, Ustad Zakir Hussain shared a fascinating story about the moment he received the Padma Shri.
Hussain reminisced, “When the announcement for the Padma Shri came, it was around 4 am. A person brought a newspaper to me while I was performing at St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai alongside Pandit Ravi Shankar ji. My father, Ustad Allah Rakha, was seated in the front row.”
He went on, “I believe someone whispered the news of my Padma Shri to him, as it had been published. He became quite excited. My father managed to communicate the news to Pandit Ravi Shankar Ji while on stage.”
Zakir Hussain remarked, “Panditji (Pandit Ravi Shankar) made the announcement of my Padma Shri on stage. It was the very first occasion he referred to me as 'Ustad'.”
He emphasized, “This was an incredibly significant moment for me, as it was shared in front of my father and Pandit Ravi Shankar Ji, two of my greatest inspirations.”
Ustad Zakir Hussain also received the Padma Bhushan in 2002 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023. In addition, he was honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1990. His accolades include multiple international recognitions, such as five Grammy Awards. Notably, in 2024, he achieved a remarkable milestone by winning three Grammys on the same day, becoming the first Indian artist to do so. The awards were for Best Global Music Performance for 'Pashto', Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for 'As We Speak', and Best Instrumental Composition for 'Motion'.
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