Renowned tabla player Zakir Hussain passed away in a San Francisco hospital, according to his family. He was 73 years old and struggled with a condition called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He had been in the hospital for two weeks and was moved to intensive care when he got worse. His sister, Khurshid Aulia, shared that he died peacefully.
Zakir, born on March 9, 1951, to famous tabla master Ustad Alla Rakha, is remembered as one of the best tabla players ever. He is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, and their two daughters, Anisa and Isabella Qureshi.
When the news of his passing spread, many people shared their condolences online. Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej spoke about Zakir’s kindness and how he helped many musicians succeed. He described Hussain as a treasure of skill and knowledge who will always be remembered.
Drummer Nate Smith also expressed thanks for the music Hussain gave to the world. Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi called him an irreplaceable legend, stating that the world of music is less bright without him.
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta highlighted Hussain’s role in making the tabla a popular instrument and expressed deep sorrow over his loss. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called Hussain a true guardian of India’s rich music tradition, saying that his contributions to art were unmatched.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge honored Hussain as a cultural ambassador who connected people through his beautiful rhythms. He said Zakir carried on his father’s legacy through amazing performances and collaborations.
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