All about the late tabla maestro, Zakir Hussain’s wife and leading kathak dancer, Antonia Minnecola.
Zakir Hussain, the renowned Indian classical tabla virtuoso, known for his unparalleled musical talents took his last breath in San Francisco at the age of 73 on Monday, Dec 16. Hussain was married to the equally accomplished Antonia Minnecola, an Italian-American dancer and choreographer throughout his illustrious career. Their union spanned over four decades and together Hussain and Minnecola have not only raised a family but also embarked on numerous creative ventures, blending their respective disciplines of music and dance to enchant audiences worldwide.
About Antonia
Antonia Minnecola is an Italian artist who has made a unique mark on the classical Indian dance form of Kathak. Coming from a family with a deep appreciation for the arts, mythology, history and religion, Minnecola was drawn to Kathak’s dynamic movements, rhythmic quality and improvisational interplay between the dancer and the drummer. Despite her background in Western classical music, Minnecola had developed a profound understanding and mastery of the Indian classical tradition. She has trained extensively under the guidance of the legendary Kathak dancer Sitara Devi, considered to be the greatest female exponent of the form. Minnecola has also studied under the renowned Ustad Ali Akbar and her father-in-law, the revered tabla maestro Ustad Allah Rakha Khan.
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Minnecola’s unique approach to Kathak seamlessly blends her Western sensibilities with her deep knowledge of the Indian classical arts. She has a remarkable ability to capture the grace, coquettishness and elegance of the courtesans of the Mughal palaces, exploring the interplay of Hinduism and Islam in the musical and dance traditions of those times. As a leading exponent of Kathak, Minnecola has performed extensively around the world, gracing stages at prestigious venues and festivals, including Jacob’s Pillow, the San Francisco Jazz Festival and the Montreal Jazz Festival. She has also collaborated with artists from diverse genres, employing Kathak to present contemporary works.
Their Love Story
Zakir and Antonia met in San Francisco when she visited Ali Aqbar Khansab to study dance. That is where she first saw him and felt like they had known each other for years. Minnecola’s artistry was often enriched by her collaborations with her husband. She had assisted Hussain in his teaching roles at institutions like Princeton University, Stanford University and Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute, sharing her expertise and passing on the traditions of Kathak to the next generation of artists and enthusiasts. Zakir Hussain tied the knot in 1978 with Italian-American Kathak dancer, Antonia Minnecola. They were soon blessed with two daughters—Anisa and Isabella Qureshi.
Their Artistic Partnership
As husband and wife, they had forged a deep musical and creative boon that enriched their artistic pursuits and elevated their collaborative performances. Zakir, the legendary tabla virtuoso and Antonia, the renowned Kathak dancer, found an inherent synergy in their creative sensibilities. Zakir’s mastery of rhythm and ability to intuit the emotional arc of Kathak dance seamlessly complemented Antonia’s graceful and expressive interpretation of the form.
Together they created a mesmerising dialogue between the percussive power of the tabla and fluid elegance of Kathak, captivating audiences worldwide. Beyond their electrifying stage presence, Zakir and Antonia shared a deep mutual respect and appreciation for each other’s artistry. Zakir marvelled at Antonia’s ability to immerse herself in a tradition that was not inherently her own, while Antonia revelled in the opportunity to perform with a musician of Zakir’s calibre. Their collaborative efforts have not only furthered their artistic journeys but have also contributed to the cross-cultural exchange and preservation of these ancient Indian art forms.
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Zakir Hussain and Antonia Minnecola shared a profound artistic partnership that transcended the boundaries of culture and tradition.
