Zakir Hussain, a globally recognized tabla maestro, is also known for an unusual accolade—to have been named the “sexiest man” in 1994, usurping the title from the then-Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan. The information came to light when Zakir Hussain was interviewed by author Nasreen Munni Kabir for her book Zakir Hussain: A Life in Music. Zakir Hussain passed away on December 16 after being under treatment for illness for several weeks.
The ‘Sexiest Man’ Title In a lighter vein, Zakir shared how he was voted the ‘sexiest man’ by women readers of Gentleman magazine in 1994. The competition included prominent figures like Amitabh Bachchan. Zakir recalled, “The magazine team came to see me and wanted me to wear all these suits and jackets and Western clothes and feature on their cover.”. PTI reports: “I guess they were equally shocked and surprised that I won the most number of votes because they had assumed the winner would be Amitabh Bachchan.”
Zakir Hussain, who expired at 73 due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, has left behind his own legacy in both music as well as life. His musical journey started when he was only seven years old and continued throughout the last days of his life. Zakir was the son of the legendary tabla player Alla Rakha and had been touring since he was 12. In 1970, he moved to the United States, where he later won unparalleled success in global music.
In this year, in February, Zakir Naik was the first musician from India who won three Grammy Awards. He received those at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Global Music Album, Best Global Music Performance, and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. Among his many awards and recognitions, Zakir also holds several prestigious titles such as Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the USA’s National Heritage Fellowship, and the Officier title in France’s Order of Arts and Letters.
Zakir’s impact went beyond his incredible tabla skills—he was a true global icon, known not only in India but around the world, leaving behind a monumental legacy spanning more than 60 years of musical brilliance.
