Fact Check: Ustad Zakir Hussain features in viral video with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan? No, here’s the truth
A black-and-white video of a musical performance has gone viral with social media claiming it shows Ustad Zakir Hussain performing alongside Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
By Sibahathulla Sakib Published on 16 Dec 2024 4:30 PM IST
Claim: The video shows Ustad Zakir Hussain playing the tabla along with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
Fact: The claim is false. The tabla player in the video is Ustad Tari Khan.
Hyderabad: Renowned tabla maestro and four-time Grammy winner Ustad Zakir Hussain passed away at the age of 73 in San Francisco, USA, following complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. A celebrated figure in Indian classical music, Ustad Zakir Hussain’s illustrious career earned him numerous accolades, including the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.
Following his death, a 28-second video surfaced on social media, claiming to show Ustad Zakir Hussain performing alongside the legendary qawwali singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
An X user posted the video and wrote, “NFAK AND ZAKIR HUSSAIN JUST HAVE A LOOK ON THIS INSANITY. He was the last of legends #ZakirHussain.” (Archive)
Similar posts can be seen here and here.
Fact Check
NewsMeter found that the claim is false. The tabla player in the video is not Ustad Zakir Hussain but Ustad Tari Khan.
A reverse image search of the viral clip led to a YouTube video uploaded on July 13, 2011, titled ‘Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Ustad Tari Khan Live.’ This video contained the original footage and the segment from 4:32 to 5:02 minutes matches the clip being circulated on social media
Further, we found the same video uploaded on DailyMotion with the description that it showed a live musical performance in Washington, DC, featuring Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Ustad Tari Khan.
Ustad Tari Khan, whose actual name is Abdul Sattar Khan, is a renowned Pakistani musician, excelling as a tabla player and singer. Trained under the guidance of Ustad Miyan Shaukat Hussain, he represents the Punjab gharana tradition. Khan’s impressive career is marked by numerous accolades, including the prestigious Pride of Performance Award in 2008, solidifying his position as one of the most revered tabla players globally.
Although not in this video, the two maestros have performed together before. We found a video published by the YouTube channel Artistic India titled 'Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Zakir Hussain | Last Jugalbandi in 1997 | Memorable Live performance' published on July 8, 2021. The 26-minute video featured Ustad Nusrath Fateh Ali Khan and Ustad Zakir Hussain performing together. According to the description of the video, this was their last 'Jugalbandi' together.
Hence, the claim that the video shows Ustad Zakir Hussain playing the tabla is false. The tabla player in the footage is Ustad Tari Khan, not Ustad Zakir Hussain.
