The Crossbill News Desk
Ustad Zakir Hussain, one of the greatest tabla maestros of his generation, passed away at the age of 73 in San Francisco, USA.
He had been undergoing treatment for the past two weeks for complications related to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
His family confirmed to news agency PTI that he passed away peacefully on ventilation support at 4 pm San Francisco time.
The tabla maestro is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, and their daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi. Reflecting on his passing, his sister, Khurshid Aulia, said, “He passed away very peacefully.”
The family shared a statement noting, "He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy cherished by countless music lovers around the globe, with an influence that will resonate for generations to come.
Born on March 9, 1951, Zakir Hussain was the son of the legendary tabla virtuoso Ustad Alla Rakha. Recognized as a pioneer and torchbearer of Indian classical music, his career spanned six decades, during which he collaborated with iconic Indian musicians such as Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, and Pandit Shivkumar Sharma.
Hussain’s innovative spirit transcended genres. His groundbreaking 1973 project with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L. Shankar, and percussionist T.H. "Vikku" Vinayakram fused Indian classical music with jazz, redefining global music landscapes.
He further expanded Indian music's reach by collaborating with Western legends like Yo-Yo Ma, Charles Lloyd, Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Mickey Hart, and George Harrison. His work was instrumental in introducing Indian classical rhythms to global audiences, solidifying his reputation as a cultural ambassador.
Zakir Hussain was the recipient of numerous accolades, including four Grammy Awards—the most recent being at the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year.
His contributions to music were honoured with India’s highest civilian awards, the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.
Hussain’s artistry epitomized the syncretic spirit of India, transcending boundaries of religion and culture.
As news of his demise spread, an outpouring of grief and tributes from admirers and fellow artists flooded social media, celebrating his unparalleled contributions to music and his enduring legacy.
He had been undergoing treatment for the past two weeks for complications related to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
His family confirmed to news agency PTI that he passed away peacefully on ventilation support at 4 pm San Francisco time.
The tabla maestro is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, and their daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi. Reflecting on his passing, his sister, Khurshid Aulia, said, “He passed away very peacefully.”
The family shared a statement noting, "He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy cherished by countless music lovers around the globe, with an influence that will resonate for generations to come.
Born on March 9, 1951, Zakir Hussain was the son of the legendary tabla virtuoso Ustad Alla Rakha. Recognized as a pioneer and torchbearer of Indian classical music, his career spanned six decades, during which he collaborated with iconic Indian musicians such as Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, and Pandit Shivkumar Sharma.
Hussain’s innovative spirit transcended genres. His groundbreaking 1973 project with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L. Shankar, and percussionist T.H. "Vikku" Vinayakram fused Indian classical music with jazz, redefining global music landscapes.
He further expanded Indian music's reach by collaborating with Western legends like Yo-Yo Ma, Charles Lloyd, Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Mickey Hart, and George Harrison. His work was instrumental in introducing Indian classical rhythms to global audiences, solidifying his reputation as a cultural ambassador.
Zakir Hussain was the recipient of numerous accolades, including four Grammy Awards—the most recent being at the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year.
His contributions to music were honoured with India’s highest civilian awards, the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.
Hussain’s artistry epitomized the syncretic spirit of India, transcending boundaries of religion and culture.
As news of his demise spread, an outpouring of grief and tributes from admirers and fellow artists flooded social media, celebrating his unparalleled contributions to music and his enduring legacy.
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