Zakir Hussain Passes Away LIVE Updates

In February, Hussain became the first musician from India to receive three Grammys at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in February for Best Global Music Album, Best Global Music Performance and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.

"I am overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of love, affection, and blessings for my multiple Grammy wins. It is impossible for me to individually respond to all of you but be assured that you are all in my heart and I'm bowing to each and every one of you in thanks. It was a great day for India at the Grammys and I'm proud to be carrying the national flag," he wrote on Instagram at the time.

At the 2024 Grammys, Hussain earned his first honour for best global music album for "This Moment" as part of the fusion music group Shakti, which includes founding member British guitarist John McLaughlin, as well as vocalist Shankar Mahadevan, violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan and percussionist Selvaganesh Vinayakram.

He later won two other awards for the best global music performance for "Pashto" and best contemporary instrumental album for "As We Speak", along with flautist Rakesh Chaurasia, American banjo player Bela Fleck and American bassist Edgar Meyer. In January last year, the Shakti quintet reunited for a world tour in India to much excitement from fans.

His fingers flew, fluttered and floated in quicksilver changes of raga and rhythm, drumming up music and magic. Zakir Hussain was the maestro of tabla, percussionist, composer and even actor – a legend who was India's very own and yet belonged to the world.

The artiste, a marquee name in India and abroad, leaves behind more than 60 years of music. He played on the stage alongside some of the greatest Indian and international musicians in a fusion of Indian classical and world music, giving the tabla a whole new identity.

The great percussionist created music across genres and styles, including in his repertoire jazz and concertos, naturally developing an "all-inclusive musical creativity" after learning and playing under the tutelage of his father and renowned tabla player, Alla Rakha.

"The mindset as I was growing up tuned itself to the idea that music is music, it's not Indian music or that music, so when I actually started working with musicians who were non-Indian it seemed like a natural handshake," Hussain told PTI almost a year ago ahead of a performance in Goa.

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain died at a hospital in San Francisco, his family said on Monday. Hussain died due to complications arising out of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the family said in a statement. He was 73.
Hussain, who is regarded as the greatest tabla player of his generation, is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola and his daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi. Born on March 9, 1951, he is the son of legendary tabla master Ustad Alla Rakha.

"He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy cherished by countless music lovers around the globe, with an influence that will resonate for generations to come," the statement read.

In his career spanning six decades, the musician worked with several renowned international and Indian artistes, but it was his 1973 musical project with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L Shankar, and percussionist TH 'Vikku' Vinayakram that brought together Indian classical and elements of jazz in a fusion hitherto unknown.

In a post on X on Sunday noon, his nephew Ameer Aulia said, "We ask for prayers for my Uncle's health."

"He is in a serious condition and we ask for all his fans around the world to pray for his health," he said.

Earlier reports that the 73-year-old Hussain had passed away after being admitted to a hospital in San Francisco swirled around the media rocking the music world and breaking the hearts of his fans.

Aulia requested media reporting his death to remove their stories.

He wrote, "My uncle Zakir Hussain is very much alive and we would ask the news media not to post misinformation."

A journalist, Pervaiz Alam, reported on X that he had spoken to Hussain's family who confirmed that he was undergoing treatment in a San Francisco Hospital.

He wrote Hussain "is being treated for serious ailments in a San Francisco hospital, The US, informed his brother-in-law, Ayub Aulia in a phone call with me".

Alam, who had worked for BBC, added, "Aulia sahab, based in London, has requested Zakir's followers to pray for his speedy recovery."

rominent business leaders on Sunday mourned the demise of 73-year-old tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, saying the "rhythm of India has paused today".

The Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani posted on X social media platform that “the world has lost a rhythm it can never replace”.

“Ustad Zakir Hussain, our maestro whose tabla beats will forever echo in the soul of India, leaves behind his inimitable form of timeless art. His legacy is an eternal 'taal', resonating through generations to come. RIP,” Gautam Adani said.

Ustaad Zakir Hussain, the renowned tabla maestro, was born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. As the eldest son of the illustrious tabla player Allah Rakha, he was naturally drawn towards music from a young age. He completed his primary education from St. Michael's High School in Mahim, Mumbai, and later graduated from St. Xavier's College and further solidified his foundation in music and academics.

Hussain married Antonia Minnecola, a Kathak dancer and teacher. They have two daughters Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi.

Zakir Hussain also acted in few movies including ‘Saaz’ , ‘Heat and Dust’. His most recent film ‘Monkey Man’ released in 2024.

As concern mounted over Hussain's health, senior broadcast journalist Pervaiz Alam also took to X to share the news, citing the musician's brother-in-law Ayub Aulia.

"Ustad Zakir Hussain, Tabla player, percussionist, composer, former actor and the son of legendary Tabla player, Ustad Allah Rakha is not well. He's being treated for serious ailments in a San Francisco hospital, USA, informed his brother in law, Ayub Aulia in a phone call with me. Aulia sahab, based in London, has requested Zakir's followers to pray for his speedy recovery," he wrote in a post.

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain has been admitted to the ICU of a San Francisco hospital after experiencing heart related problems, his friend and flautist Rakesh Chaurasia said on Sunday. The 73-year-old US-based musician had been having blood pressure issues, added a source close to Hussain.
"He has been admitted to a hospital in San Francisco for a heart related problem for the last week," he said.

"He is unwell and admitted in the ICU right now. We all are worried about the situation," Chaurasia told PTI.