Legendary tabla player Zakir Hussain dies aged 73

Ustaad breathed his last in ICU at a San Francisco hospital due to heart complications

Renowned Indian tabla virtuoso and Padma Vibhushan awardee, Ustad Zakir Hussain, has passed away in San Francisco. The celebrated musician had been receiving treatment in the intensive care unit of a local hospital for heart-related complications.

Born to legendary tabla maestro Ustad Allah Rakha, Zakir Hussain carved a global legacy as one of India's most revered musicians. Just recently, he made headlines for winning three awards at the 66th Grammy Awards in the United States, including the prestigious 'Best Global Music Performance' category for his work on Pashto.

The news comes shortly after Hussain, along with acclaimed musicians Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, and Rakesh Chaurasia, announced their 'As We Speak' India tour. Scheduled for January 2025, the multi-city tour was set to showcase a unique blend of global musical influences. The collaboration brought together four Grammy-winning artists, collectively boasting an impressive 31 Grammy accolades, including two for their 2023 album As We Speak.

Organised by Perfect Harmony Productions in collaboration with Panache Media, the tour was planned to feature performances in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi, aiming to captivate audiences with its rich and diverse repertoire.

Zakir Hussain’s untimely demise marks the end of an era in Indian classical music, leaving behind a profound legacy that transcended borders and genres.