I am completely heartbroken: Amjad Ali Khan mourns Zakir Hussain's death

Sharing an image of a concert where they had worked together, Khan wrote on Facebook: "Words fail me at this point. I am completely heartbroken and devastated to hear about Zakir Bhai."

"Ustad Zakir Hussain was a phenomenon. He was indeed one of the most loved musicians the world saw," the Sarod legend wrote on the social media platform.

He said: "Some of my concerts with Zakir Bhai happened 1974 onwards, when Ustad Alla Rakha was alive. He was one of the most gifted tabla players the world has ever seen."

Khan said his contribution to Indian classical music globally is truly phenomenal.

"He was indeed one of the most loved musicians ever who visited the planet and shined the brightest. His charisma along with his musical genius was unparalleled," Khan said.

He said: "Along with the musical excellence, the most noticeable aspect of Zakir Bhai's character has been that he was extremely helpful to his fellow Musicians and friends. His respect towards senior musicians was extraordinary."

Khan described him as a complete musician.

Indian tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, whose musical creations captivated people for generations, died at a hospital in the USA  after suffering from ailments, his family confirmed on Monday. He was 73.

He was undergoing treatment at a hospital in San Francisco and finally succumbed to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. After the news of his death broke on Sunday night, his sister said he was still alive, but the family finally issued a statement confirming his death.