- विज्ञापन -
Mumbai: The passing of legendary tabla maestro Zakir Hussain has been confirmed by his family representative, Jon Bleicher. He died at the age of 73 from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in San Francisco.
Hussain is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, and their daughters, Anisa Qureshi (with her husband, Taylor Phillips, and their daughter, Zara) and Isabella Qureshi. He also leaves behind his brothers, Taufiq and Fazal Qureshi, and his sister, Khurshid Aulia. His remarkable legacy will be cherished by music lovers worldwide and will continue to inspire future generations.
As the son of the legendary tabla master Ustad Allah Rakha, who was Ravi Shankar’s longtime collaborator, Zakir Hussain was celebrated as the greatest tabla player of his era. A child prodigy, he worked with many iconic Indian musicians, including Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, and Shivkumar Sharma.
Hussain’s innovative collaborations with Western artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Charles Lloyd, Béla Fleck, and George Harrison helped introduce Indian classical music to a global audience, establishing him as a cultural ambassador. His mastery of rhythm transcended genres, making him a pivotal figure in the contemporary world music movement.
He was involved in several historic collaborations, including Shakti (which he co-founded with John McLaughlin and L. Shankar), Remember Shakti, the Diga Rhythm Band, Planet Drum with Mickey Hart, Tabla Beat Science, and Sangam with Charles Lloyd and Eric Harland. His extensive discography features collaborations with artists like Joe Henderson, Van Morrison, and the Kodo drummers.
In April 2009, Hussain’s contributions were celebrated with four sold-out concerts at Carnegie Hall’s Artist Perspective series. He was a prolific composer, scoring for films and collaborating with dance companies such as Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet and the Mark Morris Dance Group.
Over his illustrious career, Hussain received numerous accolades, including two Grammy Awards with Mickey Hart for Planet Drum, and three additional Grammys in March 2023 for his work with John McLaughlin and Bela Fleck. He made history as the first Indian to win three Grammys in one night.
His global influence was acknowledged with prestigious awards, including the Kyoto Prize in 2022 for his contributions to cultural and spiritual betterment. In India, he was honored with the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, along with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and Fellowship. In the US, he received the National Heritage Fellowship in 1999 and the SFJazz Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.
Hussain’s enduring impact as a teacher and mentor has inspired countless musicians, solidifying his status as one of the greatest musicians of all time. The family has requested privacy during this difficult time.
