Indian tabla maestro Zakir Hussain dies at 73 in San Francisco, confirms family

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. 

“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 said. 

Hussain is survived by his wife Antonia Minnecola and his daughters Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi and their children. 

Hussain, who is known for taking tabla to the global stage, is a four-time Grammy winner.

Earlier this year, he won three Grammys during the 66th edition of the musical award.

"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," wrote sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan in a condolence post on Facebook.

In his career, he has worked with several major Indian and international artists like English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L Shankar, and percussionist TH Vikku Vinayakram, among others.

Hussain is the son of legendary tabla player Allah Rakha.  Zakir was a child prodigy who began his professional career at the age of 12, accompanying India’s greatest classical musicians and dancers and touring internationally extensively by the age of 18.

In his illustrious career that spanned decades, Zakir Hussain was awarded the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023, by the Government of India.

In 1999, the Tabla maestro was awarded the United States National Endowment for the Arts' National Heritage Fellowship, the highest award given to traditional artists and musicians.

As a composer, he scored music for numerous feature films, major events and productions. He has composed three concertos, and his third, the first-ever concerto for tabla and orchestra, was premiered in India in September, 2015, by the Symphony Orchestra of India, premiered in Europe and the UK in 2016, and in the USA in April, 2017, by the National Symphony Orchestra at Kennedy Center.

He used to conduct many workshops and lectures each year. He was in residence at Princeton University and Stanford University, and, in 2015, was appointed Regents Lecturer at UCBerkeley.

His yearly workshop in the San Francisco Bay Area, conducted for the past 30 years, has become a widely anticipated event for performers and serious students of tabla.

He is the founder and president of Moment Records, an independent record label presenting rare live concert recordings of Indian classical music and world music.

Zakir was resident artistic director at SFJazz from 2013 until 2016, and was honored with SF Jazz’s Lifetime Achievement Award on January 18, 2017, in recognition of his “unparalleled contribution to the world of music”.

He also acted in Sai Paranjpye's 1998 film Saaz in a lead role opposite Shabana Azmi. The film was inspired by the legendary Indian singing sisters Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. 

Condolences

Politicians and celebrities shared their thoughts on the sudden demise of the musician on X.

Businessman Anand Mahindra wrote on X: "The rhythm of India paused today…In tribute."

RPG Group chairman Harsh Goenka paying tributes to him wrote on the handle: "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."

Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia said: "The बोल of Zakir Hussain Ji’s tabla spoke a universal language, transcending borders, cultures and generations." "This clip defines how we will remember him, and celebrate his legacy. The sound & vibrations of his rhythm will echo in our hearts forever. सदैव गूंजेगा, वाह ताज!" he said.

Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman wrote: "Really sad to learn that legend of legends, Ustad Zakir Hussain is no more. A sad day for the world of music. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends."