Zakir Hussain Dies At 73, Tributes Pouring In: Updates

Zakir Hussain became a household name as the face of the Taj Mahal Tea brand.

New Delhi:

Zakir Hussain,  the tabla maestro, percussionist, composer and even actor – a legend who was India’s very own and yet belonged to the world died at a hospital in San Francisco. He was 73.

Hussain died due to complications arising out of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the family said in a statement. He had been hospitalised for the last two weeks and was later taken to the ICU after his condition deteriorated.

In 1988, Zakir Hussain became a household name as the face of the Taj Mahal Tea brand.

Here are the Updates: 

Actor Akshay Kumar condoles death of Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain
Actor Akshay Kumar paid condolences over the death of Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain. “Very pained to know about the sad demise of Ustad Zakir Hussain Saab. He was truly a treasure for our country’s musical heritage. Om Shanti,” he said.

“Zakir Bhai…left too soon”: Kamal Haasan’s tribute to Zakir Hussain

Actor Kamal Haasan paid a tribute to Zakir Hussain who died at the age of 73 on Monday morning.

“Zakir Bhai !  He left too soon. Yet we are grateful for the times he gave us and what he left behind in the form of his art. Goodbye and Thank you,” he wrote on X. 

Zakir Hussain Dies: Wah Ustad, Wah: Tabla Maestro Zakir Hussein, Music Legend, Dies At 73

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain died at a hospital in San Francisco, his family said on Monday. He had been hospitalised for the last two weeks and was later taken to the ICU after his condition deteriorated.

Mr Hussain, who is regarded as the greatest tabla player of his generation, is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola and his daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi. Born on March 9, 1951, he is the son of legendary tabla master Ustad Alla Rakha.

Zakir Hussain, 4-Time Grammy Winner Who Gave Tabla A New Identity

His fingers flew, fluttered and floated in quicksilver changes of raga and rhythm, drumming up music and magic. Zakir Hussain was the maestro of tabla, percussionist, composer and even actor – a legend who was India’s very own and yet belonged to the world.

Mr Hussain died from ‘idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis’, a lung disease, in a San Francisco hospital early Monday. He was 73.

Zakir Hussain, Peerless Tabla Player’s Life In Pictures

The magic of his dexterous fingers on tabla echoed through the world of music, both Indian classical and jazz, transcending genres and borders. Rightfully considered one of India’s best percussionists, Zakir Hussain died today in the US at 73, leaving behind an irreparable void in the world of music. 

Here’s a brief look at his life through pictures with some other legends:

Zakir Hussain with his father and guru Ustad Alla Rakha

Zakir Hussain with his father and guru Ustad Alla Rakha
Photo Credit: Instagram/@zakirhq9

A young Zakir Hussain with his wife and kathak dancer Antonia Minnecola

A young Zakir Hussain with his wife and kathak dancer Antonia Minnecola
Photo Credit: Instagram/@zakirhq9

Zakir Hussain (left) with his mentor and a pioneer in Indian classical music Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma (right)

Zakir Hussain (left) with his mentor and a pioneer in Indian classical music Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma (right)
Photo Credit: Instagram/@zakirhq9

Zakir Hussain with Kathak exponent Birju Maharaj

Zakir Hussain with Kathak exponent Birju Maharaj
Photo Credit: Instagram/@zakirhq9

Zakir Hussain with legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar

Zakir Hussain with legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar
Photo Credit: X/@ZakirHtabla

Zakir Hussain, 4-Time Grammy Winner Who Gave Tabla A New Identity

His fingers flew, fluttered and floated in quicksilver changes of raga and rhythm, drumming up music and magic. Zakir Hussain was the maestro of tabla, percussionist, composer and even actor – a legend who was India’s very own and yet belonged to the world.

Hussain died from ‘idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis’, a lung disease, in a San Francisco hospital early Monday. He was 73.

The artiste, a marquee name in India and abroad, leaves behind more than 60 years of music. He played on the stage alongside some of the greatest Indian and international musicians in a fusion of Indian classical and world music, giving the tabla a whole new identity.

Zakir Hussain, 4-Time Grammy Winner Who Gave Tabla A New Identity

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

  • Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain died at a hospital in San Francisco, 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.
  • He had been hospitalised for the last two weeks and was later taken to the ICU after his condition deteriorated.
  • “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.

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