Zakir Hussain Passes Away at 73: Tributes Pour In for the Tabla Maestro
Legendary tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, one of the most celebrated percussionists of his generation, passed away at the age of 73 due to complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He breathed his last in a San Francisco hospital on Monday, as confirmed by his family. The news has sent shockwaves through the music world, with tributes pouring in from artists, actors, and admirers across the globe.
Zakir Bhai ! He left too soon. Yet we are grateful for the times he gave us and what he left behind in the form of his art.
Goodbye and Thank you.#ZakirHussain pic.twitter.com/ln1cmID5LV— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) December 16, 2024
Very pained to know about the sad demise of Ustad Zakir Hussain Saab. He was truly a treasure for our country’s musical heritage. Om Shanti 🙏 pic.twitter.com/a5TWDMymfZ
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) December 16, 2024
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.
Zakir Bhai was an inspiration, a towering personality who elevated the tabla to global acclaim 🌟🌍. His loss is immeasurable for all of us. I regret not being able to collaborate with him as much as we did decades ago, though we had planned…— A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) December 16, 2024
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Tributes from the Film and Music Fraternity
Amitabh Bachchan expressed his sorrow in a heartfelt note: “A genius… an unmatched maestro… an immeasurable loss… Zakir Hussain… has left us.” Actor Kamal Haasan shared a nostalgic photograph of himself playing the tabla alongside Hussain, writing, “Zakir Bhai! He left too soon. Yet we are grateful for the times he gave us and what he left behind in the form of his art.”
Akshay Kumar also paid homage, calling Hussain “a treasure for our country’s musical heritage,” while Kareena Kapoor shared a touching throwback photo featuring her father Randhir Kapoor and the maestro, captioning it simply, “Maestro. Forever.”
Remembering His Musical Brilliance
Nandita Das, who collaborated with Zakir Hussain on the background score for her film Manto, shared her grief, saying, “An irreplaceable loss. Zakirbhai, you will be missed and how.” She fondly recalled their creative journey, adding, “He said yes to Manto with just one phone call. We argued, we laughed, we created magic.”
National Award-winning actress Nithya Menen echoed these sentiments, lamenting, “There is one regret I will have—that I never got to witness this extraordinary artist perform live.”
Global Tributes
Grammy-winning composer Ricky Kej described Hussain as “a treasure trove of skill and knowledge,” while Vishal Dadlani remarked, “There will never be another #UstadZakirHussain.” AR Rahman called him “an inspiration, a towering personality who elevated the tabla to global acclaim,” and expressed regret over their limited collaborations in recent years.
A Legacy Beyond Compare
Zakir Hussain, born on March 9, 1951, was the son of tabla legend Ustad Alla Rakha. His remarkable career saw him blend Indian classical music with global sounds, notably through collaborations with the fusion group Shakti. Hussain received the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023, cementing his legacy as one of India’s most iconic musicians.
Survived by His Family
Zakir Hussain is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, and their daughters, Anisa and Isabella Qureshi. His unparalleled contributions to music will continue to inspire generations, ensuring that his legacy lives on.
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