- Web Desk
- 4 Hours ago
Indian Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain breathes his last; family confirms
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- Web Desk
- Dec 16, 2024
SAN FRANCISCO: The winner of three Grammy Awards, and world renowned for his ‘dancing fingers’, the legendary Indian musician Zakir Hussain passed away in San Francisco on Monday.
Earlier, on Sunday, the news of his death had broken which was later refuted by the family members who said that Hussain was critical but alive. On Monday, the family announced that he had died from complications arising out of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, Indian media reported.
Zakir Hussain alive, nephew refutes reports of Tabla maestro’s death
The music maestro had been admitted in the hospital for two weeks, and yesterday he was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) when his condition deteriorated. Sadly, the musician could not recover from the complications and breathed his last at the age of 73.
According to a news report by NDTV, Hussain’s sister Khurshid Aulia said that he passed away “very peacefully”.
He came from a family of tabla musicians. His father, Ustad Alla Rakha, was also renowned for being a Tabla master. He leaves behind six decades of extraordinary musical compositions that will continue to inspire and captivate generations to come.
Hussain started playing Tabla at the age of seven, and collaborated with almost all icons of India music throughout his career. Zakir Hussain was one of the most renowned celebrities in percussion instrument players of the sub-continent.
Tributes and condolences started pouring in from across the globe. Bollywood stars and sports legends among other notable personalities shared words of admiration and grief on the passing of Zakir Hussain.
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Indian actor and film director Kamal Haasan wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “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.”
Cricket megastar Sachin Tendulkar wrote, “The curtains have fallen, but the beats will continue to echo in our hearts forever. If his hands delivered the rhythms, his smiling face and humble persona conveyed a melody – always respectful to everyone around him, putting them at ease. Rest in peace, Ustad Zakir Hussain.”
Bollywood celebrity, actor and producer, Akshay Kumar also took to social media to share his thoughts. He wrote, “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”.
Zakir Hussain He is survived by wife Antonia Minnecola and two daughters Isabella and Anisa.