I first met him in 1993-94 during the National Film Awards in Delhi. He was stuck in London and the flight was getting delayed. Some ticket problems led to this delay. His brother Taufiq Qureshi was also coming with him for the event. I was, at that time, working with the Mnistry of Information and Broadcasting as Assistant Director. We left no stone unturned to get him to India to perform during National Film Awards. He finally came in the morning of the day of the Awards function.

I picked him up from the airport and my first sentence was - हुज़ूर बहुत देर करदी आते आते। and prompt came the reply - मियाँ कैसे आए हैं हमें पता है। 

As always, he and Taufiq Qureshi bhai gave a splendid performance on the National Film Awards night. The respect for him as a performer and as a human being has been incomparable.

Years later, we invited him to Udaipur for a performance. At that time, I was working with Hindustan Zinc, as Head of Corporate Communication. 

When he arrived, I wished him, and he said - अरे मियाँ आप यहाँ कैसे? and I replied आपसे मिलना था बस। I was amazed at his memory - he could recognise me even after so many years. 

Zakir ji was very straight forward and a no-nonsense person when it came to performance. You can’t have tea, or chips or any other eatables while he was performing. He always made people realise appreciate that musical performances are not a party - music is divine, respect the artist and the music. On many occasions he had stopped in between to make people realise what he meant.

There are many instances I remember and it’s hard to believe he is no more. 

May you rest in peace Zakir Ji 🙏. 

The  Author Pavan Kaushik is a corporate leader, an Author and a Storyteller