Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, renowned worldwide, passed away in San Francisco at the age of 73. His family shared the news of his passing on Monday, citing complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis as the cause.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar paid tribute on X, formerly known as Twitter:
“The curtains have fallen, but the beats will continue to echo in our hearts forever. If his hands delivered the rhythms, his smiling face and humble persona conveyed a melody – always respectful to everyone around him, putting them at ease. Rest in peace, Ustad Zakir Hussain ji. We were fortunate to witness your magic. Your music knew no boundaries, and your loss is deeply felt by music lovers worldwide.”
A video showcasing Hussain teaching Tendulkar to play the tabla has resurfaced online.
Hussain had been hospitalised for two weeks before being admitted to the ICU due to deteriorating health.
He is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, and his daughters, Anisa and Isabella Qureshi. Hussain was widely regarded as the foremost tabla player of his generation.
Born on 9 March 1951, Hussain was the son of the celebrated tabla maestro Ustad Alla Rakha.
Hussain’s musical career spanned six decades and included collaborations with prominent artists from both India and around the world.
A significant project in 1973 saw him working alongside guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L. Shankar, and percussionist T.H. ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram. This collaboration blended Indian classical music with jazz, resulting in an innovative musical fusion.
Hussain began his musical journey at the young age of seven. He collaborated with iconic Indian musicians such as Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, and Shivkumar Sharma.
His collaborative efforts extended to Western musicians, including Yo-Yo Ma, Charles Lloyd, Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Mickey Hart, and George Harrison.
These partnerships played a pivotal role in introducing Indian classical music to a global audience, solidifying Hussain’s status as a cultural ambassador.
A four-time Grammy Award winner, Hussain received three of these accolades at the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year.
Recognised as one of India’s most celebrated classical musicians, Hussain was the recipient of numerous prestigious awards. These included the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.
