Legendary tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, a global icon who seamlessly blended Indian classical music with global sounds, passed away on Monday at 73. His innovations on the tabla, collaborations with renowned musicians, and numerous accolades solidified his legacy as a cultural ambassador.
The world of music was plunged into mourning on Monday, December 16, 2024, with the passing of legendary tabla maestro Zakir Hussain at the age of 73. Hussain, a global icon of Indian classical music, succumbed to complications arising from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive lung disease, at a hospital in San Francisco.
Born in Mumbai in 1951 to the renowned tabla maestro Ustad Allarakha, Hussain’s destiny with music was evident from an early age. He began his rigorous training under his father’s tutelage, and by the age of 12, he was already captivating audiences with his prodigious talent. Hussain’s musical journey transcended geographical boundaries, seamlessly blending Indian classical traditions with global sounds. He was a founding member of the groundbreaking fusion group Shakti, alongside John McLaughlin and L. Shankar, which redefined the landscape of world music. Collaborations with renowned artists like Yo-Yo Ma, Mickey Hart, George Harrison, and Béla Fleck further solidified his status as a global ambassador for Indian music, introducing its intricate rhythms and profound beauty to a worldwide audience.
Hussain’s virtuosity and innovation earned him widespread acclaim and numerous accolades. He was a recipient of the Padma Shri (1988), Padma Bhushan (2002), and Padma Vibhushan (2023) – India’s highest civilian honors, the three Padma Awards. His impact on the global music scene was further cemented with a record-breaking five Grammy Awards, an unprecedented feat for an Indian artist, including a historic three awards in a single night in 2024.
The news of Hussain’s passing sent shockwaves through the global music community. Tributes poured in from fellow musicians, dignitaries, and fans worldwide. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described him as a “true genius” who revolutionized the world of Indian classical music. “He also brought the tabla to the global stage, captivating millions with his unparalleled rhythm. Through this, he seamlessly blended Indian classical traditions with global music, thus becoming an icon of cultural unity,” PM Modi stated.
Sudha Murty, renowned author and philanthropist, mourned his loss, stating, “It gives me immense pain to hear about Zakir Hussain’s demise. He was the one who introduced the beauty of the Tabla to Western countries. He was a good human being and I knew him personally. It is a great loss to India and the music world.”
Legendary flautist Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia expressed his deep sorrow, saying, “Zakir Hussain matlab tabla.” (Zakir Hussain means tabla.) He further emphasized Hussain’s youthful energy and vibrant personality, expressing disbelief at his untimely passing. Aditya Kalyanpur, a renowned tabla artist and Hussain’s student, shared his profound grief, stating, “For me, and for so many others, he was more than a musician. He was an institution, a guiding light, someone we all looked up to not just for his music but for the kind of human being he was.”
The loss of Zakir Hussain leaves an irreplaceable void in the world of music. He was not only a master musician but also a respected teacher and mentor who inspired generations of artists. His legacy as a cultural icon and his profound impact on the global music landscape will continue to resonate for generations to come
All information sourced from various platforms purely for factual reporting purposes only.
Image courtesy: Image of Zakir Hussain taken from Arabian Business purely for reporting purposes only.
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