Famous tabla player Zakir Hussain passed away at the age of 73 on Sunday, December 15, in the United States. He had been in the hospital in San Francisco for some time due to heart problems. His close friend, flautist Rakesh Chaurasia, confirmed the news and said that Zakir had also been facing blood pressure issues.
Zakir Hussain was the son of the legendary tabla player Ustad Alla Rakha Khan. He started learning the tabla when he was just seven years old and was performing on stage by the age of twelve. Over the years, Zakir became one of the most famous tabla players in the world. He played not only in India but also for many international audiences.
Zakir Hussain was known for his great talent in both Indian classical music and world music. He composed music for many popular films, both in India and abroad, and his tabla skills were admired by people all over the world. About forty years ago, Zakir moved to San Francisco with his family, where he continued to make important contributions to music.
Throughout his career, Zakir Hussain received many awards. The Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023. He was also given the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1990, which is India’s highest award in music.
Zakir Hussain’s death has left a big gap in the world of music. He will always be remembered for his amazing contributions to music and will continue to inspire young musicians for years to come.
