Zakir Hussain needs no introduction. The Tabla maestro was a child prodigy who mastered the art of tabla at the mere age of seven. The artist left for his heavenly abode on December 15, 2024, after he was hospitalised in San Francisco for a critical heart condition. While all his fans and well-wishers know everything about his professional feat, not much is known about his personal life.
For the unversed, Zakir Hussain was married to the dynamic Kathak dancer Antonia Minnecola. She was also his manager. The duo tied the knot in 1978 and were proud parents to two daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi.
Zakir Hussain and Antonia first met in the Bay Area of California in the late '70s, when the duo were attaining formal training for Tabla and Kathak respectively. Zakir took an instant liking towards the diva, but the latter was initially very hesitant to start any relationship with the tabla maestro. However, Zakir was persistent and would wait outside her class every day to pursue her.
Zakir and Antonia tied the knot eight years after their first meeting. The duo dated for a while, and even Anonia's parents knew about their relationship. Howver, her father was not in favour of her marrying a musician as it was not a stable source of income back in the day. However, the duo tied the knot in 1979.
In Rendezvous with Simi Garewa, Zakir revealed that he was the first in his family to get married outside his caste. So, his mother did not support his decision to tie the knot with Antonia. However, his father secretly helped the duo tie the knot and then informed his mother about their marriage. After a few years of togetherness, Zakir's mother accepted Antonia as her 'bahu'.
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Zakir, in the same show, revealed that Antonia was living in the US, taking care of his daughters while he was travelling for concerts and struggling to earn money. Antonia sacrificed her career to support Zakir and did her very best to bring up their daughters in the best way possible.
Antonia shared that she would struggle and feel all sorts of emotions like anger and depression when Zakir used to travel abroad. But, for her children, she adjusted and tried to accommodate. The duo added that they accepted and valued each other's customs and family values and tried their best to inculcate the same in their children.
We hope and pray that Zakir Hussain's family finds the strength to navigate through this difficult loss.
Next Read: Zakir Hussain, The Majestic Tabla Whizz Dies At The Age Of 73 After Hospitalisation In San Francisco
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