The tabla maestro Zakir Hussain made history in March 2024 by becoming the first Indian to win three Grammy Awards in a single night.
Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain has passed away at the age of 73 in San Francisco due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis as confirmed in an official statement from his family on Monday.
The legendary tabla virtuoso leaves behind a legacy cherished and respected by music lovers worldwide with an influence that will resonate through generations to come.
Hussain is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, daughters Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi their families as well as his brothers Taufiq and Fazal Qureshi and his sister Khurshid Aulia.
Earlier on Sunday Hussain friend and flautist Rakesh Chaurasia mentioned that the tabla legend had been admitted to the ICU of a San Francisco hospital due to heart related issues.
Early reports on Sunday indicated that the 73 years old musician had passed away but these claims were quickly dismissed by his publicist who confirmed to PTI that he was being treated at a hospital and has not passed. At the time his family requested prayers and blessings for his speedy recovery though no further details about his condition were shared initially.
In the official statement confirming his passing on Monday his family said his prolific work as 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 family requests privacy at this time the statement added.
Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his condolences describing Hussain as cultural ambassador who bridged borders and generations with his mesmerizing rhythms. He further praised the tabla maestro for carrying forward the legacy of his father with exceptional performances and collaborations. His numerous national and international honours are a testament to this Kharge said.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also paid tribute calling Hussain beacon of India rich musical heritage and a true custodian of classical traditions. Vijayan remarked Ustad Zakir Hussain was instrumental in popularising Indian music across the globe. His contributions to the arts remain unparalleled. His passing is a monumental loss to culture and humanity. Heartfelt condolences to his loved ones.
Legendary Tabla Virtuoso: Zakir Hussain
Zakir Hussain was born on March 9 1951 in Mumbai Mahim to legendary tabla master Ustad Allarakha who was Ravi Shankar long time accompanist. Hussain showed an early inclination towards the tabla and by the age of 12 he was already performing at concerts. He also learned to play the mridangam classical percussion instrument from his father at the age of 3.
Hussain once shared a memorable anecdote from his childhood saying that when he was a baby his father would recite tabla rhythms in his ear as prayers. The tradition was that the father is supposed to recite a prayer in the baby ear welcoming the baby and putting some good words. 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 Hussain recalled.
A child prodigy Hussain collaborated with many of India legendary performers including Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan and Shivkumar Sharma. His collaborations with Western artists such as The Beatles Yo-Yo Ma, Charles Lloyd, Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Mickey Hart, George Harrison and John McLaughlin helped bring Indian classical music to the global stage solidifying his reputation as a cultural ambassador.
Hussain contributions to music were transformative. His unique mastery of rhythm allowed him to transcend borders creating authentic connections between various genres of music.
Zakir Hussain was involved in several groundbreaking collaborations including Shakti which he co founded with John McLaughlin and L Shankar as well as Remember Shakti, Making Music, The Diga Rhythm Band, Planet Drum and the Global Drum Project with Mickey Hart. He was also part of Tabla Beat Science and Sangam with Charles Lloyd and Eric Harland.
Beyond these iconic partnerships hussain worked with a range of renowned artists such as George Harrison, Joe Henderson, Van Morrison, Airto Moreira, Pharoah Sanders, Billy Cobham, Alonzo King, Mark Morris, Rennie Harris and the Kodo drummers.
His monumental contributions to music were celebrated in April 2009 with four sold out concerts at Carnegie Hall Artist Perspective series as noted in the official statement.
India honoured him with the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awards. He was also a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and a lifetime honour with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship.
Throughout his illustrious career hussain received numerous accolades including two Grammy Awards with Mickey Hart for Planet Drum and three more in March 2024 one with John McLaughlin and the band Shakti and two for his collaborations with Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer and Rakesh Chaurasia. Notably he became the first Indian to win three Grammy Awards in a single night.
In 1999 Hussain was awarded the National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts the highest lifetime honour for traditional artists in the United States. In 2017 he received SFJazz Lifetime Achievement Award for his unparalleled contribution to the world of music. In 2022 he was presented with the Aga Khan Award for his enduring contributions to the musical heritage of humanity, peerless musical mastery and sustained social impact.
