Tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain has been voted the ‘Best Drummer’ in the ‘World Music’ category through a poll conducted by ‘Modern Drummer’ — the oldest international magazine devoted to the world of percussion.

This monthly presents interviews and features with well-known drummers and its annual reader poll for 2007 chose the year’s best performers in a variety of categories right from jazz and funk to rock. It is widely regarded as the most significant recognition within the drumming/percussion community.

Though Zakir was unavailable for comment, here’s what the senior editor Rick Van Horn from the magazine wrote to him, “I’d like to take this opportunity to offer our congratulations on being voted a winner in Modern Drummer’s 2007 Reader’s Poll. This achievement is an indication of the popularity and respect that you enjoy among the drumming community and reflects the dedication and hard work that you have devoted to the furtherance of your craft.”