Tabla Legend Zakir Hussain, Padma Vibhushan And 4-Time Grammy Winner, Dies At 73

His manager, Nirmala Bachani, said he was admitted to a hospital in San Francisco. 

“Zakir Hussain, the peerless North Indian tabla player, favors an impish strain of virtuosity. He’s a fearsome technician but also a whimsical inventor, devoted to exuberant play. So he rarely seems overbearing, even when the blur of his fingers rivals the beat of a hummingbird’s wings,” wrote New York Times about the artist when he performed at Carnegie Hall in 2009. 

The Bombay-born eldest son of legendary tabla player Allah Rakha, Zakir Hussain followed in the footsteps of his father, becoming a marquee name in India and across the world.

Once narrating the story of his first booking, the percussionist said a letter came to their house offering a concert date to his father. Zakir wrote back saying that his father would not be able to accept the engagement but that his son was available. However, he didn’t mention in the letter that he was only 13. It worked, and his musical career was under way. 

As news spread, tributes poured in from leaders, industrialists, musicians from all over. 

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi said the table player will “remain alive in our memories”.

“The news of the death of the great tabla player Ustad Zakir Hussain ji is extremely sad. His death is a great loss for the music world. My condolences are with his family and fans in this hour of grief. Ustad Zakir Hussain ji has left behind such a legacy of his art, which will always remain alive in our memories,” Rahul Gandhi posted on X in Hindi.

Minister Nitin Gadkari described the artist’s death as an “irreparable loss to the country’s art and music sector”.

“The news of the death of renowned tabla player Padma Vibhushan Ustad Zakir Hussain is extremely sad. My heartfelt tribute to him. His passing away is an irreparable loss to the country’s art and music sector. His contribution in the field of art is unprecedented. His dedication towards his art and his contribution will always be remembered. May God grant peace to the departed soul and give strength to the family and fans. Om Shanti!” Mr Gadkari posted on X. 

“Zakir Hussain Ji’s tabla spoke a universal language, transcending borders, cultures and generations,” said Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.

Billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani said the “world has lost a rhythm it can never replace”. 

“The world has lost a rhythm it can never replace. Ustad Zakir Hussain, our maestro whose tabla beats will forever echo in the soul of India, leaves behind his inimitable form of timeless art. His legacy is an eternal taal, resonating through generations to come,” Mr Adani posted on X. 

Industrialist Anand Mahindra wrote: “The rhythm of India paused today”. He posted a video of a jugalbandi between the tabla player and the late singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.  

The rhythm of India paused today…

In tribute.

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽#ZakirHussain
pic.twitter.com/eknPqw4uKM

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) December 15, 2024

Harsh Goenka, Chairman – RPG Enterprises, said the tabla player’s “beats will echo eternally”.

“The world falls silent as the tabla loses its maestro. Ustad Zakir Hussain, a rhythmic genius who brought the soul of India to global stages, has left us. I was privileged to know him because of his connection with HMV and hear him perform at our home. His beats will echo eternally,” Mr Goenka posted on X with a clip of the artist in action. 

The world falls silent as the tabla loses its maestro. Ustad Zakir Hussain, a rhythmic genius who brought the soul of India to global stages, has left us. I was privileged to know him because of his connection with HMV and hear him perform at our home. His beats will echo… pic.twitter.com/TJ5aaLbsqZ

— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) December 15, 2024

A recipient of many awards, he received four Grammy Awards in his career, including three at the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year.

In a career spanning six decades, the musician worked with several renowned international and Indian artistes, but it was his 1973 musical project with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L Shankar, and percussionist TH ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram that brought together Indian classical and elements of jazz in a fusion hitherto unknown.

The percussionist, one of India’s most celebrated classical muscians, received the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.