Legendary Tabla Maestro Zakir Hussain Bids Farewell at 73, Modi Govt Honoured Him with Padma Vibhushan in 2023

Zakir Hussain: December 16, 2024, will be remembered as a heartbreaking day for music lovers worldwide, as the legendary tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain passed away at the age of 73.

Zakir Hussain, a name synonymous with Indian classical music, breathed his last in a hospital in San Francisco, USA, where he had been admitted to the ICU earlier in the last week due to heart-related complications. The tragic news was confirmed by his brother-in-law, Ayub Aulia, leaving the music fraternity and fans in deep mourning.

Zakir Hussain: A Musical Prodigy Who Became a Global Icon

Born on March 9, 1951, Ustad Zakir Hussain was the son of another tabla legend, Ustad Alla Rakha. Following in his father’s footsteps, Zakir Hussain began his musical journey at a young age, astonishing audiences with his mastery of rhythm and improvisation. Over the years, he became one of the most celebrated musicians in the world, known for bridging the gap between Indian classical and global music traditions.

His collaborations with international artists like ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mickey Hart, and Ravi Shankar introduced Indian tabla to Western audiences, making him a global ambassador of Indian music.

Honored by the Nation

In recognition of his unparalleled contribution to Indian music, the Modi government honored Zakir Hussain with the Padma Vibhushan in 2023, the second-highest civilian award in India. This was a testament to his decades-long dedication to the art of tabla and his role in preserving and promoting India’s rich musical heritage.