Entertainment

Legendary Indian Tabla Player, Zakir Hussain Is Dead

Published

6 hours ago

Dec 16, 2024.

Dennis

Zakir Hussain, a maestro of Indian classical music who transcended genres to bring the tabla to global prominence, passed away on Sunday at the age of 73.

The legendary musician died of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung condition, at a San Francisco hospital, his family announced in a statement.

EDITOR’S PICKS

“His prolific work as a teacher, mentor and educator has left an indelible mark on countless musicians. He hoped to inspire the next generation to go further. He leaves behind an unparalleled legacy as a cultural ambassador and one of the greatest musicians of all time,” the statement read.

Zakir Hussain was widely regarded as the most prominent and celebrated exponent of the tabla, the pair of hand drums central to Indian classical music.

Hailed as the greatest tabla player of his generation, Hussain’s illustrious career spanned six decades. He collaborated with global legends such as singer-songwriter George Harrison, jazz saxophonist Charles Lloyd, drummer Mickey Hart, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma, transcending musical boundaries and bringing the tabla to international prominence.

Born in 1951 in Mumbai, Hussain was the son of the legendary tabla maestro Ustad Alla Rakha. Taught by his father from the age of seven, Hussain demonstrated extraordinary talent as a child prodigy and began performing with India’s classical music greats during his teenage years.

In 1973, Hussain co-founded the pioneering Indian jazz fusion band Shakti with jazz guitarist John McLaughlin. The band’s acoustic fusion, blending Indian classical music with jazz elements, introduced a groundbreaking sound to Western audiences.