Tabla Maestro Zakir Hussain, Padma Vibhushan and 4-Time Grammy Winner, Passes Away at 73
New Delhi: Renowned tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain passed away at the age of 73 in a San Francisco hospital, his family confirmed on Monday. The legendary musician succumbed to complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis after being hospitalized for two weeks. His condition had worsened, leading to a transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU).
Hussain’s family shared that he passed away peacefully. “He passed away very peacefully after the ventilation machine was switched off. This was at 4 PM San Francisco time,” said his sister, Khurshid Aulia, speaking to PTI.
Zakir Hussain, a recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, was celebrated worldwide for his exceptional mastery of the tabla. Over his illustrious career, he won four Grammy Awards, including three at the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year. His unmatched contribution to Indian classical music and global musical collaborations leaves a lasting legacy.
Regarded as the greatest tabla player of his generation, Zakir Hussain is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, and their daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi.
Born on March 9, 1951, Zakir Hussain was the son of the legendary tabla maestro Ustad Alla Rakha. Following in his father’s footsteps, he carved out his own extraordinary legacy, becoming a global icon in Indian classical and fusion music.
In a statement, his family said, “He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy cherished by countless music lovers around the globe, with an influence that will resonate for generations to come.”
Hussain’s career spanned six decades and included collaborations with some of the world’s most renowned musicians. His 1973 project with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L Shankar, and percussionist T.H. ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram was groundbreaking, blending Indian classical music with jazz elements in a pioneering fusion effort.
A child prodigy, Hussain began playing tabla at the age of seven and went on to collaborate with nearly all of India’s iconic musicians, including Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, and Shivkumar Sharma. His exceptional talent and contributions have left an indelible mark on the world of music.
Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain died in a hospital in San Francisco, US, his family said on Monday. He was 73. Zakir Hussain died from complications arising out of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the family said in a statement. He had been in hospital for the past two weeks and was shifted to the intensive care unit (ICU) after his condition deteriorated.
Hussain’s sister Khurshid Aulia said he passed away “very peacefully”.
“He passed away very peacefully after the ventilation machine was switched off. This was 4 pm San Francisco time,” she told PTI. Regarded as the greatest tabla player of his generation, Zakir Hussain is survived by his wife Antonia Minnecola and their daughters — Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi. Born on March 9, 1951, he was the son of legendary tabla master Ustad Alla Rakha.
The family said in its statement, “He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy cherished by countless music lovers around the globe, with an influence that will resonate for generations to come.” In a career spanning six decades, Hussain worked with several renowned international and Indian artistes but it was his 1973 project with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L Shankar and percussionist TH ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram that brought together Indian classical music and elements of jazz in a hitherto-unknown fusion.
Starting at the age of seven, he went on to collaborate with virtually all of India’s iconic performers, including Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan and Shivkumar Sharma, in his career.
His groundbreaking work with Western musicians such as Yo-Yo Ma, Charles Lloyd, Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Mickey Hart and George Harrison brought Indian classical music to an international audience, cementing his status as a global cultural ambassador.
Zakir Hussain received four Grammy Awards in his career, including three at the 66th awards ceremony earlier this year.
The percussionist, one of India’s most celebrated classical musicians, received the Padma Shri in 1988, Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.
Tributes Pour In for Tabla Maestro Zakir Hussain
As news of Zakir Hussain’s passing spread, heartfelt tributes flooded social media, reflecting the profound impact he had on music and culture.
rammy-winning musician Ricky Kej described Hussain as a figure of “immense humility and approachable nature.” He wrote on X, “One of the greatest musicians and personalities India has ever produced. Along with being the best himself, Zakir ji was known for supporting the careers of numerous musicians, who are now forces to reckon with. He 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. He left us too soon.”
American drummer Nate Smith expressed his gratitude, writing, “Thank you for all the music you gave us.”
Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi mourned Hussain as an “irreplaceable legend,” saying, “The world of music will be lesser without tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain. Heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and fans around the world. My prayers, Om Shanti.”
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta credited Hussain for elevating the status of the tabla, writing, “The maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain, has passed away. Goodbye Ustad ji. The man who made the tabla sexy, who brought an accompanying instrument to the forefront, is gone. Deepest condolences to his family, fans, and students worldwide.”
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan highlighted Hussain’s role in popularizing Indian music globally, calling him “a beacon of India’s rich musical heritage and a true custodian of classical traditions.” In his tribute, Vijayan stated, “Ustad Zakir Hussain was instrumental in bringing Indian music to the global stage. His contributions to the arts are unparalleled. His passing is a monumental loss to culture and humanity. Heartfelt condolences to his loved ones.”
The outpouring of grief and admiration underscores Zakir Hussain’s immense contributions to music and his lasting influence on generations of artists and audiences worldwide.
