Ustad Zakir Hussain father, a devout Muslim, devotee of Saraswati, refused to sing an Islamic prayer for his son

 

The late tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain once shared a fascinating story about his father Ustad Allah Rakha and his unique way of worshipping Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge and music. This incident, narrated by Zakir Hussain years ago, provides a glimpse into the deep-rooted cultural values ​​and artistic devotion that shaped his life.

Zakir, as a newborn, followed the traditional custom of welcoming the baby with prayers whispered in his ears by his father, just as his father used to cradle him. However, instead of traditional Islamic prayers, Allah Rakha chose to recite tabla rhythms.