Ustad Zakir Hussain, the legendary tabla maestro, has left an unforgettable mark on our hearts. The composer, percussionist, music producer, and film actor passed away on December 15 at the age of 73, and it feels like a personal loss. One of the greatest, Zakir Hussain was born into a family of artists, and his passion for his craft started at a very young age. From playing Indian classical music to expanding his talent by going global with jazz music collaborations, his music transcended literally boundaries.

While most of the world knows him for his music, Ustad was a romantic at heart. He wasn’t just a master of his craft; he was also a loving husband and father. He often spoke fondly about his marriage and personal life in interviews. But did you know he got married without his mother’s approval? Here’s a little peek into Zakir Hussain and Antonia Minnecola’s journey and his legacy of love, culture, and art.

“I would run away from home to go and play in some other city”

In an interview with Simi Garewal, Zakir Hussain narrated how he would respond to letters written to his father, Ustad Alla Rakha, and showed up to play at venues without his father’s knowledge. He also spoke about how his love for music made him run away from home for a few days just to play in different cities. It was Zakir’s mother who wasn’t quite sure about her son becoming a musician. But to prove her wrong, at the age of 6, Zakir packed his school bag and was ready to run away to showcase his craft to the world.

But this wasn’t the only time Zakir rebelled against his mother. He met his wife, Antonia Minnecola, in the late 1970s in San Francisco and dated for 8 years. The two then decided to tie the knot even though Zakir’s mom did not approve of their union. They got married in a Muslim wedding ceremony officiated by his father, without telling his mother. It was the first mixed marriage in their family, and he banked on his father’s support to cushion the blow. “More than my father, it was my mother who had a tough time with it,” he said. Initially, his mother kept her distance from the family. But over the years, when she got to know Antonia, she couldn’t stop gushing about the two.

Antonia and Zakir have two daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi, and they had a long and loving marriage. Antonia was not just Zakir’s wife but also his manager and has been one of his biggest supporters throughout his journey. The two often performed together and called themselves the best band in the world.

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