Zakir Hussain, who mesmerised audiences at the 'Zakir Hussain & Masters of Percussion' show at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas in Kuala Lumpur in October 2011, was a tabla maestro whose rhythmic genius transcended borders. He died at the age of 73 in San Francisco on Dec 15. Photo: Dewan Filharmonik Petronas
Legendary Indian tabla maestro Zakir Hussain has died at the age of 73 on Sunday (Dec 15) in the United States.
He died from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease, at a hospital in San Francisco, his family said in a statement.
"His prolific work as a teacher, mentor and educator has left an indelible mark on countless musicians. He hoped to inspire the next generation to go further. He leaves behind an unparalleled legacy as a cultural ambassador and one of the greatest musicians of all time,” the statement read.
His close friend, one of India’s most feted flautists Rakesh Chaurasia revealed, “Zakir has been fighting serious illnesses; he was admitted to the San Francisco ICU for heart issues that arose due to issues related to blood pressure problems. He had been receiving treatment for over a week before his condition worsened."
Considered the greatest tabla player of his generation, Zakir had a career that spanned six decades in which he collaborated with the likes of singer-songwriter George Harrison, jazz saxophonist Charles Lloyd, drummer Mickey Hart and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
The son of legendary tabla artist Ustad Alla Rakha, Hussain was born on March 9, 1951 in Mumbai and was taught how to play the instrument by his father at the age of seven. A child prodigy, he began performing alongside India’s classical music legends during his teens.
In 1973, Zakir formed the Indian jazz fusion band "Shakti” with jazz guitarist John McLaughlin. The band played acoustic fusion music that combined Indian music with elements of jazz, introducing a new sound to Western audiences.
In 2024, Zakir became the first musician from India to win three Grammy awards in the same year.
His "Shakti” won Best Global Music Album, and his collaboration with Edgar Meyer, Béla Fleck and flutist Rakesh Chaurasia won Best Global Music Performance and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. He had earlier won a Grammy in 2009.
Over the course of his illustrious career, Zakir also earned numerous accolades for his contributions to music in his homeland.
He received the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023 by the Government of India.
Zakir also received the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1990 and its Fellowship in 2018.
He was married to Kathak dancer and teacher Antonia Minnecola. The couple have two daughters: Anisa Qureshi, a filmmaker, and Isabella Qureshi, who is studying dance in Manhattan.
Zakir's passing has left a void in the world of music, where his innovative approach to the tabla and his collaborations across genres will continue to inspire generations to come. – AP/The Statesman/Asia News Network
