Renowned Tabla Maestro Zakir Hussain has sadly passed away at the age of 73 in San Francisco, succumbing to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, as confirmed by an official statement from his family on Monday.
The legendary virtuoso leaves an enduring legacy, revered by countless aficionados of music across the globe, his influence resonating through generations yet to come.
Hussain is survived by his spouse, Antonia Minnecola, alongside his daughters Anisa and Isabella Qureshi, their respective families, as well as his brothers Taufiq and Fazal Qureshi, and sister Khurshid Aulia.
Prior to his passing, a close friend and flautist, Rakesh Chaurasia, disclosed that Hussain had been admitted to the ICU of a San Francisco hospital due to heart complications.
Initial reports of his demise circulated on Sunday, although these were refuted by his publicist, who confirmed to PTI that he was still undergoing treatment and “had not passed away.” His family had called for prayers for his recuperation, though specifics regarding his condition remained undisclosed.
In their official announcement regarding Hussain’s passing, his family noted, “His prolific contributions as a teacher, mentor, and educator have left an indelible impact on countless musicians. He aspired to inspire future generations to exceed boundaries. He leaves behind an unparalleled legacy as one of the most esteemed musicians of our age.” They further requested privacy during this difficult period.
Celebrated Tabla Virtuoso: Zakir Hussain
Zakir Hussain was born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai’s Mahim, to the esteemed tabla master Ustad Allarakha, a long-time collaborator of Ravi Shankar. Hussain exhibited a prodigious talent for the tabla from an early age.
A musical prodigy, Hussain collaborated with nearly all iconic Indian musicians, including Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, and Shivkumar Sharma.
Moreover, his groundbreaking ventures in Western music alongside artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Charles Lloyd, Béla Fleck, and George Harrison propelled Indian classical music into the global domain, cementing his status as a cultural ambassador.
Hussain’s transformative contributions to music are lauded for their unique ability to forge authentic connections across diverse genres.
Among his illustrious collaborations were Shakti (which he co-founded with John McLaughlin and L. Shankar), Remember Shakti, and the Global Drum Project, among others.
His remarkable career has been punctuated by numerous honors, including India’s Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri awards, as well as the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
In addition, Hussain garnered two Grammy Awards with Mickey Hart for Planet Drum, and three more this past March, setting the record as the first Indian to secure three Grammy Awards in a single night.
Vocabulary List:
- Aficionados /əˌfɪʃ.əˈnɑː.doʊ/ (noun): People who are very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about a particular subject or activity.
- Prolific /prəʊˈlɪf.ɪk/ (adjective): Producing many works results or offspring.
- Indelible /ɪnˈdel.ɪ.bəl/ (adjective): Not able to be removed or erased; lasting.
- Transcend /trænˈsɛnd/ (verb): To go beyond the limits of something often in greatness or excellence.
- Enduring /ɪnˈdʒʊr.ɪŋ/ (adjective): Lasting over a period of time; durable.
- Cultural /ˈkʌl.tʃər.əl/ (adjective): Relating to the ideas customs and social behavior of a society.
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