- विज्ञापन -
New Delhi: Renowned tabla maestro Zakir Hussain has died, as confirmed by his family on Monday. He was 73 years old.
Hussain passed away at a hospital in San Francisco due to complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, according to a family statement.
Widely regarded as the greatest tabla player of his era, Hussain is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, and his two daughters, Anisa and Isabella Qureshi.
Born on March 9, 1951, he was the son of the legendary tabla virtuoso Ustad Alla Rakha. His family noted, “He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy cherished by countless music lovers worldwide, with an influence that will resonate for generations to come.”
Throughout his impressive six-decade career, Hussain collaborated with numerous esteemed international and Indian artists. In 1973, he worked on a pioneering project with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L. Shankar, and percussionist T.H. ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram, blending Indian classical music with jazz in a unique fusion.
He partnered with many of India’s iconic musicians, including Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, and Shivkumar Sharma. His groundbreaking collaborations with Western artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Charles Lloyd, Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Mickey Hart, and George Harrison helped introduce Indian classical music to global audiences.
Hussain won four Grammy Awards during his lifetime, including three at the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year. He received the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.
In October, Hussain shared a video on social media, showcasing the fall season in the US, expressing his appreciation for the changing weather.
Following the announcement of his passing, messages of condolence began to fill social media as news of his death spread.
