Zakir Hussain, the iconic Indian tabla player who transcended musical boundaries and played a pivotal role in shaping modern world music, has died at the age of 73. Hussain passed away on Sunday(15th December,2024) in San Francisco due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, as confirmed by his family. In a statement, they described him as a “cultural ambassador” and one of the greatest musicians of all time, leaving behind a legacy as a teacher, mentor, and influential figure in global music.
Hussain’s career spanned more than five decades, during which he became a national treasure in India and a respected figure worldwide. His collaborations were legendary, spanning genres from jazz and rock to Indian classical music. He worked with renowned artists such as jazz saxophonist Charles Lloyd, bluegrass musicians Edgar Meyer and Béla Fleck, and rock icons George Harrison and Van Morrison. His groundbreaking contributions were recognized with three Grammy Awards in 2024, including Best Global Music Album for his band Shakti.
Born in Mumbai in 1951, Zakir Hussain began training under his father Ustad Allarakha Khan, a tabla maestro himself.
Hussain described growing up in an “atmosphere of music 24 hours a day”. By age seven, he was performing in concerts alongside his father.
“From the age of seven, I sat on the stage with Abba whilst he played with so many greats. It was a lived experience for me, and it allowed me to absorb all that I had heard over the years,” he told Nasreen Munni Kabir, his biographer, in 2018.
As a teenager, he got an opportunity to perform with legendary Indian sitarist and composer Pandit Ravi Shankar. By 19, he was playing more than 150 concerts a year, both in India and internationally.
As his footprint grew, he contributed to the soundtracks of several films, performed solo and collaborated with artists on the global stage.
His 1992 album Planet Drum with drummer Mickey Hart won a Grammy in the inaugural category of the “Best World Music Album”. He also performed with legendary artists like George Harrison of the Beatles, cellist Yo-Yo Ma and Van Morrison.
Hussain went on to earn seven Grammy nominations, winning four of them.
A passionate educator, Hussain also became a prominent figure in teaching Indian drumming, aiming to inspire the next generation of musicians.
Throughout his career, Hussain emphasized the universal pursuit of musical perfection, stating, “It’s all about the journey — not the goal.” His influence on music, both in India and around the world, remains unmatched.
As news of Hussain’s death broke, tributes have begun pouring in.
Nayan Ghosh, who plays the sitar and tabla, called the news “devastating” and said that his association with Hussain went back 60 years to their childhood.
“He was a pathbreaker, a game-changer, an icon who put tabla and Indian music on the world map by transcending the boundaries of genre and inspiring generations of artistes,” he told the BBC.
English guitarist John McLaughlin – who performed with Hussain in the band Shakti – described him as “the King, in whose hands, rhythm became magic”. Grammy winning composer Ricky Kej called him “one of the greatest musicians and personalities India has ever produced”.