Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain passes away

World famous tabla maestro Zakir Hussain passed away in the US on Sunday.

He was 73 and was hospitalised in the US due to serious health issues. The Grammy-winning musician had blood pressure issues, his manager Nirmala Bachani said. “He has been admitted to a hospital in San Francisco for a heart-related problem for the last two weeks,” she said.

Earlier in the day, Indian journalist Pervaiz Alam also shared the news of his hospitalisation on X (formerly Twitter).

“Ustad Zakir Hussain, tabla player, percussionist, composer, former actor, and the son of legendary Tabla player, Ustad Allah Rakha is not well. He’s being treated for serious ailments in a San Francisco hospital, USA, informed his brother-in-law, Ayub Aulia in a phone call with me. Aulia sahab, based in London, has requested Zakir’s followers to pray for his speedy recovery.”

Hussain was regarded as one of the greatest tabla players of all time. In February, he won three Grammy awards in the Best Global Music Performance, Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, and Best Global Music Album categories. Prior to that, he won his first-ever Grammy for Contemporary World Music Album in 2009.

Hussain was awarded the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and in 2023 was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan — the second-highest civilian award, given for exceptional and distinguished service — by the Government of India.

He is survived by his wife Antonia Minnecola, a Kathak dancer and teacher, and their two daughters.