Legendary Tabla Maestro Zakir Hussain Dies at 73

NEW DELHI — Renowned Indian classical musician Zakir Hussain, celebrated for transcending genres and introducing the tabla to a global audience, passed away on Sunday at the age of 73.

The iconic musician succumbed to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung condition, at a San Francisco hospital, his family announced.

“His significant contributions as a teacher, mentor, and educator have profoundly impacted countless musicians. He inspired future generations to strive for excellence. His legacy as a cultural ambassador and one of history’s greatest musicians is unmatched,” the family statement declared.

Hussain was the most widely recognized master of the tabla, the primary percussion instrument in Indian classical music.

Regarded as the preeminent tabla player of his era, Hussain enjoyed a six-decade career marked by collaborations with renowned artists such as George Harrison, Charles Lloyd, Mickey Hart, and Yo-Yo Ma.

The son of legendary tabla artist Alla Rakha, Hussain was born in Mumbai in 1951 and began his tabla training under his father at the age of seven. A prodigious talent, he embarked on tours at twelve and performed alongside India’s leading classical musicians throughout his teens.

In a widely circulated Indian social media interview, Hussain recounted his father’s unique welcome: the elder Hussain initiated his son’s life by reciting tabla rhythms into his ears.

“I was brought home, handed to my dad. The custom was for the father to offer a prayer… He held me, put his lips to my ear, and recited tabla rhythms,” Hussain explained in the interview, mimicking the rhythmic patterns.

Both Alla Rakha and Hussain were bestowed with the honorific “Ustad,” an Urdu word signifying mastery.

In 1973, Hussain co-founded the Indian jazz fusion band “Shakti” with guitarist John McLaughlin. The band’s acoustic fusion, blending Indian and jazz elements, captivated Western audiences.

In 2024, Hussain achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first Indian musician to win three Grammy Awards in a single year.

Hussain’s Shakti won Best Global Music Album, while his collaboration with Edgar Meyer, Béla Fleck, and flutist Rakesh Chaurasia earned Best Global Music Performance and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. He previously won a Grammy in 2009.

In 2023, Hussain was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honor.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Hussain as a “true genius who revolutionized Indian classical music” and “an icon of cultural unity.”

“He brought the tabla to the world stage, captivating millions with his unparalleled rhythm,” Modi shared on X.

Hussain is survived by his wife and two daughters.