Zakir Hussain passes away at 73: Why tabla maestro wasn't allowed to cut his hair
The great tabla master Zakir Hussain died on Monday morning, leaving an irreparable emptiness in the hearts of music fans. The iconic artist rose to prominence as the face of Taj Mahal Tea in the 1980s, thanks to a series of unforgettable television advertisements. These advertisements featured him dressed in ethnic attire, playing the tabla, and moving his hair; all of the ads ended with the famous catchphrase, "Wah Taj!" Though these advertisements cemented his status as a household figure, they came at the cost of an unusual commitment.
Why Zakir Hussain wasn't allowed to cut his hair??
Did you know Zakir Hussain was not permitted to cut his long hair due to a stipulation in his contract with the tea brand? Yes, you read it correctly. Zakir Hussain was not permitted to cut his long hair as part of his agreement with the Taj brand.?
Hussain sarcastically conveyed this knowledge, saying, "I couldn't demonstrate my musical abilities in 30 seconds, but I could make my hair move! I'm still their goodwill ambassador, and I can't cut my hair, even if it's falling out."?
Another reason is about his time in the US?
Another rumour about his hair was that he grew it not because he liked it, but because he couldn't afford to cut it. "When I first visited the United States, I had short hair, but I spotted hippies with long hair. I couldn't afford haircuts while earning only $25 a week during my first year of college, so I let it grow. I was also inspired by other performers in the rock 'n' roll ensemble Shanti, with whom I performed," he once stated.?
Zakir Hussain, a legendary tabla maestro and composer, died at the age of 73. Hussain was hospitalized in the United States and receiving treatment for a serious health condition. He was admitted to the intensive care unit after encountering a heart condition. This morning, the famed artist's family acknowledged his death.?
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