Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain passes away at 73, family confirms

Zakir Hussain, known as a legendary tabla maestro and composer, died on December 16, 2024 at the age of 73,news was confirmed by his family. He passed away from the complications arising from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a rare chronic lung disease, at a hospital in San Francisco, United States. The vanish of the legendary maestro marks the end of an era, leaving a permanent void in the world of music. He transcended boundaries and became a global ambassador for Indian Classical music. He was hospitalized earlier on Sunday this week’s Sunday due to a heart related issue. He is survived by his family including, his wife, Antonia Minnecola, his two daughters, Anisha and Isabella Qureshi and their families, his brothers Taufiq and Fazal Qureshi and his sister Khurshid Aulia. His family on his passing, gave a statement, “His prolific work as a 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.”Hussain is considered as the greatest tabla player of this generation. He has named several awards under his name, he has been honoured by many national awards including Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Padma Vibhushan, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and lifetime honour award of Sangeet Natak Akademi fellowship. He was also celebrated globally as well,he was acclaimed by four Grammy Awards during his career. He also made history as the first Indian to win three Grammys in one night at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, including Best Global Music Album and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. A real gem and devotee of music, Zakir Hussain is an idol and a positive influencer for many and will be remembered in everyone’s memory forever. His absence leaves the world of music mourning. Political leaders, musicians, celebrities and every industry have expressed their condolences and memories. A music enthusiast from the music industry and a big fan of Zakir Hussain since childhood Prangshu Datta Talking to True to Life News said, “I was just 8 years old when I saw an archived recording of Ustad Zakir Khan and Ustad Alla Rakha’s jugalbandi on Doordarshan. That was the first time I asked my baba (father) if I wanted to learn Tabla. The news just feels very personal. No one would ever have great command like him.”Ustad Zakir Hussain was born on March 9, 1951 in Mumbai,Maharashtra, as the eldest son of legendary tabla player Ustad Alla Rakha. Ustad Allah Rakha was also the winner of Grammy in the category of Contemporary World Music Album in 2009. He recognized the innate talent and a deep knowledge of music of his son and taught him tabla rhythms instead of traditional prayers, introducing him to a life immersed in music.In a statement given by Hussain to PTI he said, “The tradition was that the father is supposed to recite a prayer in the baby’s ear, welcoming the baby and saying 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. He said, I am the worshipper of Goddess Saraswati and Lord Ganesh. This was a devout Muslim talking. He said this is the knowledge he got from his teachers and wanted to pass it on to his son,”. Hussain also stated nostalgically, “My father held me in his arms and put his lips close to my ear, instead of reciting prayers, he recited tabla rhythms. My mother was livid at first, but my father replied, ‘These are my prayers. I am the worshipper of Goddess Saraswati and Lord Ganesh’”.