Renowned tabla player and composer Zakir Hussain passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at the age of 73, confirmed his family. Hussain was admitted to the ICU of San Francisco hospital in the United States due to cardiac problems, his friend and flautist Rakesh Chaurasia told PTI on Sunday.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also confirmed the death of tabla player Zakir Hussain.
“He has been admitted to a hospital in San Francisco for the past two weeks for a heart problem,” Hussain’s manager Nirmala Bachani earlier told the news agency. According to Bachani, the US-based tabla player was suffering from blood pressure problem.
Ustad Zakir Hussain: The story of the tabla player
Ustad Zakir Hussain was born on 9 March 1951 in Maharashtra. He completed his early education at St. Michael’s High School in Mahim and graduated from St. Xavier’s College, where he also enhanced his knowledge about music and academics.
Born in Bombay, the eldest son of renowned tabla player Allah Rakha, Zakir Hussain followed in his father’s footsteps and became a global icon. Husain was married to Antonia Minnecola, a Kathak dancer and teacher. The couple have two daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi.
In a career spanning six decades, Zakir Hussain worked with many renowned artists, both Indian and international. His 1973 project with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L Shankar and percussionist TH ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram was groundbreaking. This collaboration fused Indian classical music with jazz, creating a unique sound that had never been heard before. Throughout his career, Hussain has won five Grammy Awards, including three at the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year.
Considered one of India’s most renowned classical musicians, Hussain received the Padma Shri, one of the country’s highest civilian honours, in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.
The tabla legend has also appeared in several films, including Saaz and Heat and Dust. His latest film, Monkey Man, was released in 2024.
Social media filled with emotional tributes
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani posted on the X social media platform that “the world has lost a rhythm it can never change”. “Ustad Zakir Hussain, our maestro whose beat of the tabla will always resonate in the soul of India, has left behind a unique form of timeless art. His legacy is an eternal ‘Taal’, which continues to resonate for generations to come. RIP,” Gautam Adani said.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed deep condolences on ‘X’, he wrote, “The news of the demise of the great tabla player Ustad Zakir Hussain ji is very sad. His demise is a big loss for the music world. My thoughts are with his family and fans in this hour of grief. Ustad Zakir Hussain ji has left behind a legacy of his art, which will always remain alive in our memories.”
Union Minister, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia shared a clip of Hussain playing the tabla, writing, “The bol (voice) of Zakir Hussain ji’s tabla spoke a universal language crossing borders, cultures and generations. This clip perfectly sums up how we will remember him and celebrate his legacy. The sound and vibration of his rhythm will always resonate in our hearts. My deepest condolences to his family, fans and loved ones. Om Shanti.”
The beats of Zakir Hussain ji’s tabla spoke a universal language beyond boundaries, cultures and generations.
This clip defines how we will remember him, and celebrate his legacy. The sound and vibration of his rhythm will always resonate in our hearts. Will always echo, Wow Taj!
My… pic.twitter.com/duGIHgnTYY-Jyotiraditya M.Scindia (@JM_Scindia) 15 December 2024
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also expressed his deep condolences on ‘X’ and said, “The demise of Ustad Zakir Hussain Sahab makes the world of our culture poorer.” With his fingers dancing on dayan and bayan, he brought Indian tabla to the global stage and will always be synonymous with its intricate rhythms. A doyen of music, a giant of creativity, whose works have endeared him to people for generations. His demise has left a void that will be difficult to fill. My heartfelt condolences to his family, disciples and countless fans.”
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee took to social media platform . This is a huge loss for his millions of fans across the country and the world. I express my heartfelt condolences to the family, fraternity and followers of the great artist.
Earlier, when the news of Zakir Hussain’s ill health came out, prayers started pouring in on social media wishing for his speedy recovery.
Senior broadcast journalist Parvez Alam shared the news on X, citing the musician’s brother-in-law Ayub Auliya. “Tabla player, percussionist, musician, former actor and son of great tabla player Ustad Allah Rakha, Ustad Zakir Hussain is not keeping well. He is undergoing treatment for serious illnesses in San Francisco Hospital, USA, his brother-in-law Ayub told Auliya. In a phone conversation with me, Auliya Saheb, who lives in London, requested Zakir’s followers to pray for his speedy recovery. Have,” he wrote in a post.
Bhajan singer Anup Jalota shared a video message, captioned: “Praying for the speedy recovery of tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain. May his health and rhythm return stronger than before.
