Ustad Zakir Hussain, Tabla maestro, passes away at 73; Family statement awaited

Renowned tabla maestro and Padma Vibhushan awardee, Ustad Zakir Hussain, passed away on Sunday, December 15, at the age of 73. Reports suggest he had been admitted to a San Francisco hospital for heart and lung-related ailments. Earlier, flautist Rakesh Chaurasia, a close friend of Hussain, had expressed concern about his health, saying, “He is unwell and admitted in the ICU. We are all deeply worried about the situation.”
Born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, Ustad Zakir Hussain was the eldest son of legendary tabla maestro Ustad Allah Rakha. Following in his father’s footsteps, he emerged as one of the most celebrated Indian classical musicians, revered for his unparalleled tabla skills and brought Indian music to the global stage. Over his illustrious career spanning six decades, he received numerous accolades, including the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023. He was also awarded Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1990 and Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 2018.

On the international front, Hussain was equally accomplished winning four Grammy Awards and seven nominations. His 1973 collaboration with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L Shankar, and percussionist T.H. “Vikku” Vinayakram created a fusion of Indian classical music and jazz, which gained worldwide acclaim.

Zakir Hussain also scored music for films such as In Custody (1993), Saaz (1998) and Vanaprastham (1999), wherein he also acted, Mr. and Mrs. Iyer (2002) and One Dollar Curry (2003).