Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain breathed his last at the age of 73 in a San Francisco hospital on Sunday, December 15, confirmed his family in a statement. Condolences poured in from across the globe for the four-time Grammy award winning musician. He was undergoing treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and was reportedly hospitalised for the past two weeks.
A statement released by the family said, “He is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola; his daughters, Anisa Qureshi (her husband, Taylor Phillips, and their daughter, Zara) and Isabella Qureshi; his brothers, Taufiq Qureshi and Fazal Qureshi; and his sister, Khurshid Aulia. He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy cherished by countless music lovers around the globe, with an influence that will resonate for generations to come."
Hussain is the eldest son of Alla Rakha, the legendary tabla player. He successfully crossed genres, while maintaining his mastery of Hindustani music. His collaborators included George Harrison, once a member of the famous British band Beatles, and Micky Hart of the Grateful Dead. He also created the soundtrack for several movies, including Ismail Merchant's Mystic Masseur, and played the tabla on the soundtracks of Francis Coppola's Apocalypse Now, and Bernardo Bertolucci's Little Buddha.
Former President Barack Obama invited him to the International Jazz Day All-Star Global Concert at the White House in 2016. Last year, India awarded him the Padma Vibushan, and of the four Grammys he won, three of them in 2024. According to StubHub, an online ticket-seller, Hussain was scheduled to hold 14 concerts across the US starting in March with a performance in Denver.
Several ministers, chief ministers, politicians, industrialists, and entertainment and sports figures recorded their condolences on X while his mourning fans paid tributes to his musical genius.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Zakir Hussain was a true custodian of classical traditions, and that his contributions to the arts remain unparalleled.
“Ustad Zakir Hussain was instrumental in popularising Indian music across the globe, serving as a beacon of India’s rich musical heritage. His passing is a monumental loss to culture and humanity. Heartfelt condolences to his loved ones,” he said in a social media post.
Tamil actor Kamal Haasan said, “Zakir Bhai! He left too soon. Yet we are grateful for the times he gave us and what he left behind in the form of his art. Goodbye and Thank you.”
Three time Grammy award winner Ricky Kej said he was shocked, and deeply saddened about the death of Ustad Zakir Hussain. “One of the greatest musicians and personalities India has ever produced. Along with being the best himself, Zakirji was known for his immense humility, approachable nature, and for being responsible for the careers of numerous musicians, who are now forces to reckon with themselves. He was a treasure trove of skill and knowledge and always shared and encouraged the entire music community through collaborations and his actions. His legacy will live on forever, and his influence will be felt for generations. He left us too soon,” he added.
(With inputs from IANS)