SAN FRANCISCO – Zakir Hussain, the iconic Indian tabla maestro who revolutionized Indian classical music and brought it to a global stage, passed away on December 15 at the age of 73. He succumbed to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease, in San Francisco, where he resided, according to a statement from his family.
Widely revered as a cultural treasure in India, Hussain’s illustrious career included four Grammy Awards and collaborations with renowned global artists such as cellist Yo-Yo Ma, jazz legend Charles Lloyd, the sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar, and George Harrison of The Beatles.
Born Zakir Allaraka Qureshi on March 9, 1951, in Bombay (now Mumbai), Hussain inherited his musical genius from his father, the legendary tabla maestro Alla Rakha. His mother, Bavi Begum, changed his last name to Hussain shortly after his birth, following the advice of a Muslim saint.
Hussain was a child prodigy who began performing tabla concerts at the age of seven and commenced international tours by the time he was 12. Both he and his father earned the title of Ustad (master), playing a key role in elevating the tabla from a supporting role to a standalone instrument for virtuoso performances.
Hussain’s pioneering efforts introduced the tabla to the world stage through collaborations across genres. In 2009, he performed four sold-out concerts at New York’s Carnegie Hall, solidifying his global legacy. Earlier in 2024, Hussain added three more Grammy Awards to his collection, winning in the categories of contemporary instrumental album, global music album, and global music performance.
His extraordinary achievements spanned decades, including a 2009 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album.
Hussain is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola; his daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi; his brothers, Taufiq Qureshi and Fazal Qureshi, who are also accomplished tabla players; and his sister, Khurshid Aulia.
Zakir Hussain’s passing marks the end of an era for Indian classical music and the global fusion movement he championed.