Farewell to Pacchekari Maestro Mohammad Zafar Hussain.

“Gar firdaus, ruhe zamin ast, hamin asto, hamin asto, hamin ast.”
"If there is a paradise on earth, it is this, it is this, it is this."
– Amir Khusro

These timeless words by Amir Khusro, the great Sufi poet and philosopher of 13th century from India, were penned for the scenic valley of Kashmir. Yet today, they resonate profoundly as we bid farewell to another soul touched by divinity — Mohammad Zafar Hussain, lovingly known as Zafar Bhai. On July 11, 2025, he departed this world for his own Firdaus — the heavenly paradise his life’s work so often mirrored.

Zafar Bhai was no ordinary artisan. He was a master of Pacchekari — the intricate and ancient art of gemstone inlay on marble. But beyond his remarkable skill, he carried the essence of a Sufi: humble, introspective, devoted. Much like Khusro himself, Zafar Bhai lived quietly, immersed in beauty, letting his craft speak volumes. And like the great mystic, he leaves behind a legacy both in spirit and in stone.

His journey began in 1979 at the revered Subhash Emporium in Agra — a city forever synonymous with marble and Mughal splendour. As a young apprentice, he trained under the legendary “Ustad” Haseen Uddin and Ustad Umesh C. Bansal. While many of his peers sought recognition, Zafar Bhai sought only perfection.

He devoted himself to every nuance of the craft — from geometry and design to tool-making, gemstone selection, natural adhesives, and traditional polishing techniques. Over the years, he evolved into an Ustad in his own right — a living encyclopaedia of Pacchekari art.

His mastery was not confined to technique alone. Zafar Bhai was a mentor, shaping the next generation of artisans with the same quiet dedication that defined his own path. Among them, one apprentice stood out — his shagird in both spirit and skill Shameem— with whom he would go on to create his magnum opus.

Together, and in collaboration with Subhash Emporium, Zafar Bhai crafted a breathtaking collection of 21 marble inlay masterpieces. This collection, fittingly titled “Firdaus”, is today recognized not only as a national treasure, but as a radiant jewel in India’s cultural heritage. It remains on display at Subhash Emporium’s gallery in Agra — a tribute to his genius and an eternal window into his soul.

In mourning his loss, we also celebrate a life lived in service to beauty — a life that brought the timeless poetry of stone and gems to countless admirers across the world. May his journey continue in the divine paradise his hands once sought to emulate.

Rest in peace, Zafar Bhai. You were, and will always remain, one with “Firdaus”.