Tabla Maestro Zakir Hussain Dies At 73

Legendary tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain, renowned as one of the greatest percussionists of all time, passed away at the age of 73 in San Francisco on December 15, 2024. He succumbed to complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis after being hospitalized for two weeks, during which his condition worsened, leading to ICU admission.

Born on March 9, 1951, to the legendary Ustad Alla Rakha, Zakir Hussain began his journey with the tabla at a tender age of seven. He went on to redefine its role in Indian classical music and global musical fusion. Over a career spanning six decades, he collaborated with icons like Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, Shivkumar Sharma, and Western artists such as Yo-Yo Ma and George Harrison, bridging cultural divides through groundbreaking projects like Shakti and innovative collaborations across genres.

Zakir Hussain’s contributions to music earned him accolades including four Grammy Awards, the Padma Shri (1988), Padma Bhushan (2002), and Padma Vibhushan (2023). His work left an indelible mark on both traditional Indian music and contemporary global soundscapes. He is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, and daughters, Anisa and Isabella Qureshi.

Tributes have poured in worldwide, celebrating his humility, mentorship, and immense influence on generations of musicians. Fellow artists, political leaders, and admirers have hailed him as an irreplaceable icon, whose legacy will resonate for generations