Bengaluru: Among the lasting legacies of Ustad Zakir Hussain, the legendary tabla maestro whose rhythms transcended borders and generations, is a deeply personal gift: One of his beloved tabla sets, which he donated to Bengaluru's Indian Music Experience (IME) Museum. This treasured instrument, once brought to life by his unparalleled genius, now stands as a symbol of his artistry and passion, and serves as an eternal tribute, inspiring countless hearts to connect with the beauty of Indian classical music.
Hussain inaugurated IME Museum in 2019 and made a contribution to its collection — a set of his own tablas. He once revealed, while announcing his donation to IME, that he possessed three primary sets of tabla, along with spares, which accompanied him on his global musical journeys. These instruments were integral to his performances with some of the world's most renowned musicians and carried a unique energy imbued by the legends of various musical traditions.
This particular set — a deeply personal part of his artistic journey — he gifted holds stories of global stages and collaborations that shaped musical history. With a heartfelt wish that "the spirits of all the music they experienced will fill the halls of this museum", Hussain offered a piece of his soul to IME.
Speaking about his gesture, IME director Preema John highlighted the maestro's profound connection to the institution and his unmatched contributions to music. "He wanted to donate the tabla to the museum to leave a part of his legacy with an institution dedicated to promoting Indian classical music," she said. "He felt this would be the ideal place for a tabla set that he played for many years, including during the museum's inauguration night. His intention was to pass on the good vibes of this tabla set, which accompanied him as he collaborated with musicians from India and around the world."
Hussain's generosity, both as an artist and collaborator, shines through this gesture. "He has always been a very giving and supportive artist, known for his unmatched artistry and spirit of collaboration. What he has done for the genre of tabla and percussion in India is legendary," Preema added.
The donated tabla set is now housed in IME's Stars Gallery, a space showcasing memorabilia from India's greatest musicians, one where Hussain, who received all three Padma awards, truly belongs.
For visitors, seeing this iconic instrument up close is a moving experience. "It's a captivating feeling for our audience to witness the instrument of someone as legendary as Zakir Hussain. His image — his smile, his focus, the way he played with such grace — comes alive for them," Preema said.
AMAZING PLACE!
Amazing space! Finally, documentation of music is happening in a way it should — there is information at your fingertips in a way you can actually understand and interact with it to learn more about our musical heritage. I know for a fact one of my beloved tabla sets is preserved in a great space that honours classical music
— Zakir Hussain | at the inauguration of IME Museum in 2019