The iconic Tabla maestro of global fame Dr. Zakir Hussain breathed his last at a San Fransisco hospital in United States at the age of 73 after suffering Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Though one of his nephew has termed the shocking news of his death as mere rumours saying that he is in ICU due to cardiac arrest related to age related complications, appealing for prayers of his recovery, the ministry of Information and Broadcasting confirmed the news of his death.
Prestigious Padma Vibhushan recipient and four time Grammy Awards winner Dr. Zakir Hussain was admitted in a hospital at San Fransisco in connection with heart related ailments and was shifted to ICU after a stroke where he breathed his last sending shock waves all around.
Son of an iconic Tabla player Allah Rakha , legendary Table maestro son of global fame Dr. Zakir Husain’s death was first denied by his nephew but lateron confirmed by the ministry of I and B.
Among politicians the Congress leader and Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi was the first to express his deepest condolences on the sudden demise of iconic Tabla virtuoso Dr. Zakir Hussain.
He wrote on his social media handle X : The news of the death of the great tabla player Ustad Zakir Hussain ji is extremely sad. His death is a great loss for the music world. My condolences are with his family and fans in this hour of grief. Ustad Zakir Hussain ji has left behind such a legacy of his art, which will always remain alive in our memories,” Rahul Gandhi posted on X in Hindi.
The Congress president and veteran Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge while expressing his tributes and deepest condolences wrote on X :
In the passing away of Tabla exponent, Ustad Zakir Hussain, India and the world has lost a musical genius, and a cultural ambassador who bridged borders and generations with his mesmerising rhythms. The Padma Vibhushan Tabla maestro and percussionist, gloriously took forward the legacy of his father with exceptional performances and collaborations. His numerous national and international honours are a testament to this. Our deepest condolences to his family, friends and admirers across the world said Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on X .
The member of Parliament from Wayanad Lok Sabha Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in her condolence message wrote on X : The demise of world renowned tabla player, global representative of North Indian classical music, Padma Vibhushan Ustad Zakir Hussain Sahib is a huge loss to our cultural landscape. Ustad not only transformed sound, but also classical and fusion music along with cinema music with his talent and gave it a higher status than before. Generations will never be able to recover from his debt. He will continue to be a guide for the tabla players to come. Salute Ustaad wrote Priyanka while paying her respectful tributes to legendary Tabla maestro.
Renowned columnist and senior journalist Vivek Shukla while expressing his grief over the sad demise of Dr. Zakir Hussain wrote on FB : What a loss! I have seen Ustad Zakir Hussain many times. I think the first time at Nehru Park in 2012. It was Jugalbandi of Zakir Hussain and Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma. They mesmerised the 500 odd music lovers with their magical performance. And the last time, I saw his breathtaking performance at kamani in 2019. He was in full flow this time too wrote Shukla while paying his heartfelt tributes to the iconic Tabla player.
The senior journalist earlier with NBT, Aaj Samaj and several publications Habib Akhtar was shocked to hear this news . He wrote on FB in Hindi : The biggest thrill of attending an Ustad’s show is to gaze at him, see the agility of his fingers, listen to the Tata Dhin Dhin, feel the storm of silence arising in the surroundings, absorb the raga alaap and the sur lahari.
Salute to you Ustaad who spread the beauty of the confluence of seven notes with the movement of fingers… Wah Ustaad Wah Taj Mahal of music, may Allah give peace to your soul. And give us the strength to bear this unbearable shock wrote Habib while remembering this great soul.
The former chief minister of Uttarakhand and CWC member Harish Rawat wrote : The news of the demise of Ustad Zakir Hussain, a great tabla player and decorated with all the Padma awards, is extremely sad. The world will always remember his incomparable contribution in the field of art and music. May God give him a place in his holy feet and give courage to his family members in this hour of grief.
According to the news reports during his outstanding six-decade career, Hussain received four Grammy Awards, which included three at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards earlier this year. He joined some of the most celebrated international and Indian musicians, but it was his groundbreaking 1973 project with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L. Shankar, and percussionist T.H. ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram that fused Indian classical music with jazz in a way not seen earlier.
A tribute to great TBLA-Player!