New Delhi:
Renowned tabla player, percussionist and composer Zakir Hussain passed away on Monday in San Francisco due to complications of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He was 73 years old. Zakir Hussain was hospitalized for two weeks before being moved to the ICU as his condition deteriorated. Since his death, tributes have been pouring in from all over the world. Deeply affected by the loss, Amitabh Bachchan shared a message on X (formerly Twitter). In his post, Big B wrote, “Still unable to digest the demise of Ustad Zakir Hussain… So many personal and private moments, now just a wonderful happy memory.”
T 5225 – Still not able to digest the demise of Ustad Zakir Hussain.. So many personal and private moments, now just a wonderful happy memory..????
– Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) 17 December 2024
On Monday, Amitabh Bachchan paid tribute to the great maestro Zakir Hussain on his blog. The megastar wrote, “A genius.. an unmatched maestro.. an irreparable loss.. Zakir Hussain.. leaving us…”
Apart from Amitabh Bachchan, many other prominent personalities from the entertainment industry also paid tribute to Zakir Hussain. Kamal Haasan shared an old picture of the tabla player. Kamal Haasan wrote, “Zakir Bhai! Gone too soon. Yet we are grateful for the time he gave us and what he left in the form of his art. Goodbye and thank you.”
Zakir Bhai! He left very quickly. Yet we are grateful for the time he gave us and what he left us in the form of his art.
Goodbye and thank you.#zakirhussain pic.twitter.com/ln1cmID5LV– Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) 16 December 2024
Akshay Kumar also expressed grief over the demise of Zakir Hussain. The actor wrote, “Deeply saddened to learn about the tragic demise of Ustad Zakir Hussain Saab. He was truly a treasure to the musical heritage of our country. Om Shanti.”
Very sad to know about the tragic demise of Ustad Zakir Hussain Saab. He was truly a treasure to the musical heritage of our country. Om Shanti???? pic.twitter.com/a5TWDMymfZ
– Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) 16 December 2024
Filmmaker-actress Nandita Das also shared a post for Zakir Hussain. He posted a collection of pictures with the maestro, who composed the background score for his film Manto, starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the lead role. Nandita Das wrote, “Shocked and deeply saddened. An irreparable loss. This news feels unreal. It will always be like this. Zakir Bhai, you will be missed and how. You are gone too soon.” She further added, “I was looking at pictures from 2017-18 and memories of working with Manto on his background score came back. One phone call and he said yes to the film. We shot in LA, on Zoom, in acted on.” Mumbai We argued, we laughed, we talked. I had the privilege of watching, observing and learning from them, which I look forward to continuing with them someday.”
Read his full note below:
Zakir Hussain is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, and their daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi.
