Renowned tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain passed away at a San Francisco hospital while receiving treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, according to a statement from his family. He breathed his last in a hospital in California on Monday. The Legend was critically ill for two weeks.
A Life Dedicated to the Tabla
Born as the eldest son of the legendary tabla maestro Allah Rakha, Zakir Hussain followed in his father’s footsteps and carved a global legacy for the Indian percussion instrument. He began his journey in music at a very young age and soon became an international sensation.
Champion of Indian Classical Music
Zakir Hussain is celebrated for taking Indian classical music to global audiences. In 1973, his collaboration with John McLaughlin, L Shankar, and TH Vikku Vinayakram introduced a groundbreaking fusion of Indian classical and jazz music.
Awards and Recognitions
In his illustrious six-decade-long career, Hussain won four Grammy Awards out of seven nominations, with three Grammys earned earlier this year at the 66th Grammy Awards. He was also conferred with the Padma Shri (1988), Padma Bhushan (2002), and the Padma Vibhushan (2023) by the Government of India.
Survived by Family
Hussain is survived by his wife, Kathak dancer Antonia Minnecola, who also managed his career, and their two daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi.
Final Performances
Hussain performed extensively this fall, touring the US and UK with the Crosscurrents Trio, featuring Dave Holland and Chris Potter. His last performance was on November 26 in Paris.
The world mourns the loss of an iconic artist whose contribution to Indian and global music remains unparalleled.
