Indian tabla maestro Zakir Hussain has died at 73 in US, family finally confirms

Published on Authored by Press Trust of India

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain died at a hospital in San Francisco, USA, his family said on Monday. Hussain died due to complications arising out of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the family said in a statement. He was 73.

After refuting the reports of his death, initially, Ustad Zakir Hussain's family finally confirmed the news. Photo courtesy: www.instagram.com/zakirhq9
After refuting the reports of his death initially, Ustad Zakir Hussain’s family finally confirmed the news. Photo courtesy: www.instagram.com/zakirhq9

He had been hospitalised for the last two weeks and was later taken to the ICU after his condition deteriorated.

Soon after the news of his death broke late on Sunday night (in India), and condolences were expressed by many, his close family members refuted the reports, and said that the iconic Indian classical percussion artiste was “very critical” but still alive, before eventually confirming Hussain’s demise.

ALSO READ: Indian tabla icon Zakir Hussain, 73, reported ‘dead’ in US hospital; sister refutes news, says maestro ‘very critical’

Hussain, who is regarded as the greatest tabla player of his generation, 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. Born on March 9, 1951, he is the son of legendary tabla master Ustad Alla Rakha.

“He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy cherished by countless music lovers around the globe, with an influence that will resonate for generations to come,” the statement read.

Zakir Hussain was the 2022 Kyoto Prize Laureate in Arts and Philosophy. Photo courtesy: Instagram/zakirhq9
Zakir Hussain was the 2022 Kyoto Prize Laureate in Arts and Philosophy. Photo courtesy: Instagram/zakirhq9

In his career spanning six decades, the musician worked with several renowned international and Indian artistes, but it was his 1973 musical project with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L Shankar, and percussionist TH ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram that brought together Indian classical and elements of jazz in a fusion hitherto unknown.

Starting early at the age of seven, he went on to collaborate with virtually all of India’s iconic performers, including Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan and Shivkumar Sharma in his career.

His groundbreaking work with Western musicians such as Yo-Yo Ma, Charles Lloyd, Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Mickey Hart, and George Harrison brought Indian classical music to an international audience, cementing his status as a global cultural ambassador.

Hussain has received four Grammy Awards in his career, including three at the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year.

Zakir Hussain with his Grammy awards. Photo courtesy: Instagram/zakirhq9
Zakir Hussain with his Grammy awards. Photo courtesy: Instagram/zakirhq9

The percussionist, one of India’s most celebrated classical musicians, received the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.

Condolences

Messages of condolence poured in on social media as the news of Hussain’s demise spread.

Grammy winner musician Ricky Kej remembered Hussain for his “immense humility, approachable nature”.

“One of the greatest musicians and personalities India has ever produced. Along with being the best himself, Zakirji was known 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,” Kej wrote on X.

American drummer Nate Smith thanked Hussain for “all of the music you gave us”.

Rhythms for prayers from dad Alla Rakha

Eight years ago, tabla maestro Zakir Hussain had narrated how his father Alla Rakha had welcomed him into this world by putting the musical instrument’s rhythms into his ears when asked to recite prayers.

Hussain spoke of his father holding him in his arms for the first time. Alla Rakha was an accomplished tabla player and a frequent accompanist of iconic sitar player Pandit Ravi Shankar.

“I was brought home and handed over to my dad in his arms. The tradition was that the father is supposed to recite a prayer in the baby’s ear, welcoming the baby and putting some good words,” he said.

“So he takes me in his arms, puts his lips to my ear and recites the tabla rhythms into my ears. My mother was livid. She said, what are you doing? You’re supposed to say, you know, prayers, not rhythms.

“And he said, but these are my prayers. This is how I pray. He said, I am the worshipper of Goddess Saraswati and Lord Ganesh. This was a devout Muslim talking. He said this is the knowledge he got from his teachers and wanted to pass it on to his son,” Zakir Hussain said.

Most valuable five rupees

During his early days, he used to travel by train and if he could not find a seat, he would spread newspapers on the floor and sleep. During such journeys, so that no one’s feet touched his tabla, he used to sleep with the musical instruments in his lap.

In another interview, Zakir Hussain had recalled an incident when he was 12 years old. He had gone to a concert with his father. Music stalwarts like Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Bismillah Khan, Pandit Shanta Prasad and Pandit Kishan Maharaj were also present at that concert.

Zakir Hussain went on stage with his father and got five rupees for the performance. “I have earned a lot of money in my life, but those five rupees were the most valuable,” the tabla maestro had said.