Zakir Hussain, Legendary Tabla Maestro, Passes Away at 73
Zakir Hussain, widely regarded as the greatest tabla player of his generation, passed away at the age of 73 in a San Francisco hospital. His family announced that he succumbed to complications arising from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He had been hospitalized for two weeks, and his condition worsened, leading to his admission to the ICU.
Born on March 9, 1951, Zakir Hussain was the son of the legendary tabla virtuoso Ustad Alla Rakha. He began playing tabla at the tender age of seven and embarked on a career that would span six decades, leaving an indelible mark on Indian classical music and beyond.
Hussain is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, and his daughters, Anisa and Isabella Qureshi. In a statement, his family expressed their grief, noting, “He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy cherished by countless music lovers around the globe, with an influence that will resonate for generations to come.”
Zakir Hussain’s remarkable career was marked by groundbreaking collaborations with both Indian and international musicians. He worked with Indian maestros like Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, and Shivkumar Sharma, as well as Western artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Charles Lloyd, Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Mickey Hart, and George Harrison. His 1973 project with John McLaughlin, violinist L. Shankar, and percussionist T.H. Vinayakram merged Indian classical music with jazz, pioneering a new genre of fusion music.
Hussain was a true cultural ambassador, bringing Indian classical music to global audiences. His achievements include winning four Grammy Awards, three of which were at the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year. He was also honored with India’s highest civilian awards—the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.
Messages of condolence poured in from across the world as news of his demise spread. Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej paid tribute to Hussain, highlighting his humility and his pivotal role in nurturing the careers of fellow musicians. Kej wrote, “Zakirji was a treasure trove of skill and knowledge, always sharing and encouraging the music community through collaborations. His legacy will live on forever, and his influence will be felt for generations.”
Hussain’s passing marks the end of an era in Indian classical music, but his extraordinary contributions ensure that his spirit will live on through the rhythms he created and the countless musicians he inspired.
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