Tabla Maestro Zakir Hussain Passes Away Aged 73, Confirms Family

Hussain is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, and daughters Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi, along with their families.

Hussain has received four Grammy Awards in his career, including three at the 66th Grammy Awards in 2024.

Source : PTI

Zakir Hussain: Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain died at a hospital in San Francisco at the age of 73, his family has confirmed. Hussain had complications arising out of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and had been hospitalised for the last two weeks, they said. He was later taken to the ICU as his condition deteriorated.

"His prolific work as a teacher, mentor and educator has left an indelible mark on countless musicians. He hoped to inspire the next generation to go further. He leaves behind an unparalleled legacy as a cultural ambassador and one of the greatest musicians of all time," Hussain's family said.

Hussain is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, and daughters Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi, along with their families. 

As early tributes started pouring in on Sunday evening, his publicist dispelled the reports of his death. He then confirmed to PTI that Hussain was being treated at the hospital and "has not passed away". "Zakir is currently in a critical condition following complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The reports that he has passed are incorrect," Jon Bleicher of Prospect PR told PTI.

His sister Khursheed also reacted to the reports of his death and said her brother was "very very critical". "My brother is deeply ill at this time. We are asking all his fans around India and the world to pray for him. But as India's greatest ever exports, do not finish him off just yet," she said.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also announced Hussain's death on its page on X on Sunday evening but later deleted the post.

Zakir Hussain Won Three Grammy Awards In 2024

Hussain has received four Grammy Awards in his career, including three at the 66th Grammy Awards in 2024. In his career spanning six decades, he 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.

One of India's most celebrated classical musicians, Hussain received the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.