Dildar Hussain was the percussionist of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's Qawwali party until Nusrat's death in 1997, and continues to perform and teach tabla and qawwali today. Ustad Dildar Hussain learned tabla from his father and Ustad Allah Rakha Khan. His first performance was in India in 1969 before he joined Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's Qawwali party in 1971. Along with Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan, Nusrat's brother, Dildar had been a member of the party since its formation. Dildar does not play the traditional tabla that can be seen in contemporary Hindustani classical music but instead plays qawwali style tabla which is similar to the modern tabla set, except that the bass drum, called 'Dhamma' or 'Atta-Wala Dhamma' is made of wood and wheat flour dough ('atta') is applied on top of the head of the drum . This is done to create a deep and warm bass sound which is unique to this style of tabla.(A similar style of tabla is also used in traditional Sikh and Afghan music and is believed to be the original style of tabla originating from the Pakhawaj). (Modern tabla sets have a metal bass drum that use a dried thin iron powder/wheat layer masala called Syahi). Today, Dildar Hussain can sometimes be seen accompanying Tahir Qawwal and Aminah Chisti and their qawwali group,"Fanna-Fi-Allah.