Dallas, USA: The Indian American Friendship Council (IAFC) paid homage to the late tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain during a specially organized working committee meeting in Dallas, Texas. IAFC President Dr. Prasad Thotakura described Zakir Hussain’s passing as an irreplaceable loss to global music enthusiasts.He stated, "Padma Vibhushan Zakir Hussain, the globally renowned tabla maestro and four-time Grammy Award recipient, has left an extraordinary legacy in the realm of music."

Dr. Thotakura highlighted Zakir Hussain's journey, noting that he began learning tabla techniques from his father, the legendary musician Alla Rakha, at the young age of seven. Over the course of six decades, Zakir collaborated with renowned musicians such as Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, Shivkumar Sharma, John McLaughlin, and others, earning worldwide admiration for his artistry. Expressing his condolences, Dr. Thotakura shared personal anecdotes about his interactions with Zakir Hussain and recounted the maestro’s contributions on global platforms.

The meeting saw the participation of IAFC vice-presidents Tayab Kundawala and Rao Kalvala, secretary Murali Vennam, treasurer Runna Jani, and board member Ranki Chebrolu, all of whom joined in honoring the maestro’s legacy.