Renowned Indian Tabla Maestro Zakir Hussain Dies at 73

Zakir Hussain, recognized as one of the foremost tabla players globally, has passed away at 73 years old. According to a family statement, the celebrated figure in Indian classical music succumbed to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a lung ailment, at a San Francisco hospital. Hussain was honored with four Grammy awards and was a recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, which is India’s second-highest civilian honor. He revolutionized the tabla through his artistry, elevating it from its traditional role as an accompanying instrument in Indian classical music to a prominent, globally admired solo instrument. Historically, the tabla—a set of two drums integral to Indian classical music—was typically considered a supportive element rather than the central focus of a performance. Following the announcement of Hussain’s passing, numerous tributes started to emerge. Sitar and tabla musician Nayan Ghosh described the news as “devastating,” noting his 60-year connection with Hussain, dating back to their childhood. Ghosh informed the BBC that Hussain “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.” John McLaughlin, an English guitarist who played alongside Hussain in the band Shakti, characterized him as “the King, in whose hands, rhythm became magic.” Grammy-winning composer Ricky Kej referred to him as “one of the greatest musicians and personalities India has ever produced.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that Hussain was “a true genius who revolutionised the world of Indian classical music.” Rahul Gandhi, a leader of the Congress party, commented that Hussain’s demise represented “a great loss for the music world,” and the US embassy in India declared him a “true maestro” who would be “forever in our hearts.” Born in Mumbai in 1951, Hussain commenced his musical education under the tutelage of his father, Ustad Allarakha Khan, who was also a renowned tabla maestro. Hussain recounted experiencing an “atmosphere of music 24 hours a day” during his upbringing. By the age of seven, he was already performing in concerts alongside his father. In 2018, he shared with his biographer, Nasreen Munni Kabir, “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.” During his teenage years, he had the chance to perform with the legendary Indian sitarist and composer Pandit Ravi Shankar. By the time he was 19, he was performing over 150 concerts annually, both within India and abroad. With his expanding influence, he contributed to the scores of various films, performed as a soloist, and engaged in collaborations with artists internationally. His 1992 album, “Planet Drum,” created with drummer Mickey Hart, secured a Grammy in the debut “Best World Music Album” category. Additionally, he performed alongside iconic artists such as George Harrison from the Beatles, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and Van Morrison. Hussain ultimately received seven Grammy nominations, from which he won four. In a 2016 interview with the BBC regarding his worldwide acclaim, he stated, “this is music’s appeal, not mine. I am a worshipper of music, who presents it in front of people.” His biographer, Nasreen Munni Kabir, observed that in his later life, he evolved into “one of the most sought-after accompanists to the very best of Hindustani classical musicians and dancers.” However, over the past two decades, he had ceased performing as an accompanist for established artists, choosing instead to collaborate primarily with emerging musicians, as music writer Shailaja Khanna informed the BBC. She noted that he leveraged his prominent status to promote younger Indian musicians on the international platform. “Because of him younger people were willing to pay 2,000 to 3,000 rupees ($23.59 to $35.38; £18.62 to £27.93) for a ticket which is very unusual for classical performances,” she added. Hussain had previously reflected on his “good fortune” concerning his musical journey. He elaborated, “I am one of those musicians who came at the cusp of a great change in the music world and I was carried on that wave.” He continued, “I had the good fortune of establishing a very unhurried relationship with music, and at the same time, the wave took me places.”