Tabla Maestro Zakir Hussain Passes Away at 73, Leaves Behind a Legacy of Musical Excellence

Mumbai, 16th December 2024: The legend who brought his musical wizardry with four Grammys into an unforgettable presence passed away on Monday, the great tabla maestro, Zakir Hussain, age 73 in San Francisco, US. According to reports from his family, his death occurred from complications resulting from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Hussain had been in the hospital for two weeks and his condition worsened, requiring intensive care. His sister, Khurshid Aulia, said that he died “very peacefully” after he was taken off a ventilator at 4 PM San Francisco time.

Widely regarded as the greatest tabla player of his generation, Hussain leaves behind his wife, Antonia Minnecola, and his two daughters, Anisa and Isabella Qureshi. He was born on March 9, 1951. The tabla maestro Ustad Alla Rakha was his father.

Through his sixty-year career, Hussain collaborated with the world’s most iconic musicians including Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, Shivkumar Sharma, and the westerners like Yo-Yo Ma, Bela Fleck, George Harrison. His work with John McLaughlin, L Shankar, and TH ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram in the 1973 fusion project “Shakti” remains a groundbreaking milestone in blending Indian classical music with jazz elements.

Throughout his illustrious career, Hussain received numerous accolades, including the Padma Shri (1988), Padma Bhushan (2002), and Padma Vibhushan (2023). Earlier this year, he won three Grammy Awards at the 66th ceremony, bringing his lifetime tally to four.

With news of his death going out, tributes began pouring in from across the globe. Singer Ricky Kej spoke about his humility and mentorship as he called him “one of the greatest musicians and personalities India has ever produced.”

Drummer Nate Smith thanked him for “his immeasurable contributions to music,” while filmmaker Hansal Mehta credited Hussain with “elevating the tabla as a lead instrument in music.”.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge hailed him as a “cultural ambassador” whose rhythms bridged borders and generations. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described him as “a true custodian of classical traditions” who popularized Indian music worldwide. Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi called Hussain an “irreplaceable legend.”.

He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy cherished by countless music lovers around the globe, with an influence that will resonate for generations to come.