Yogi, Mamata, Himanta React Amid Reports Of Zakir Hussain's 'Demise'

Zakir Hussain had been admitted to the ICU of a hospital in San Francisco after heart-related problems. His elder sister confirmed that he remains in a critical condition, but is alive.

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain Zakir Hussain is admitted to the ICU of a hospital in San Francisco after heart-related problems.

Source : X

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain is in critical condition in a US hospital where he had been admitted to an ICU after suffering heart-related problems. On Sunday evening, reports of his demise broke out, however, his family has now confirmed that the musician is alive.

 Hussain’s sister Khurshid Auliya refuted the reports of her brother's demise, calling them incorrect. She that her daughter, who is currently at the hospital in San Francisco, informed her some time ago that Zakir Hussain is alive and all the news about his death is false. 

She mentioned that though he is in a critical condition, he is alive. Hussain's sister said that his health was affected due to excessive workload, stress, fatigue, lack of rest, and negligence in diet.

He had been admitted to the ICU of a hospital in San Francisco after heart-related problems, his friend and flautist Rakesh Chaurasia said. 

As reports of his death broke out, condolences started pouring in. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had stated in a post on X: "The world has lost a true musical genius. Zakir Hussain's contributions to the world of music will forever be cherished." 

The world has lost a true musical genius.

Zakir Hussain's contributions to the world of music will forever be cherished. #ZakirHussain pic.twitter.com/cCicgRPpoW

— Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) December 15, 2024

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi mourned the Tabla maestro's demise, stating how the latter's "demise is a great loss for the music industry".

"The news of the demise of the great tabla player Ustad Zakir Hussain ji is extremely sad. His demise is a great loss for the music world. My condolences are with his family and fans in this hour of grief. Ustad Zakir Hussain ji has left behind such a legacy of his art, which will always remain alive in our memories," Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

महान तबला वादक उस्ताद ज़ाकिर हुसैन जी के निधन का समाचार बेहद दुखद है।

उनका जाना संगीत जगत के लिए बड़ी क्षति है। इस दुख की घड़ी में मेरी संवेदनाएं उनके परिवार और प्रशंसकों के साथ हैं।

उस्ताद ज़ाकिर हुसैन जी अपनी कला की ऐसी विरासत छोड़ गए हैं, जो हमेशा हमारी यादों में जीवित… pic.twitter.com/ogkLAoe68o

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 15, 2024

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his condolences to Hussain's family and disciples in a post on X.

"The passing away of Ustad Zakir Hussain Sahab leaves our world of culture poorer. Making his fingers dance on the dayan and bayan, he took Indian Tabla to the global stage and will always be synonymous with its intricate rhythms. A doyen of music, a stalwart of creativity whose works endeared him to people across generations. His passing leaves a void that will be hard to fill. My heartfelt condolences to his family, disciples and countless admirers," the Assam CM wrote.

The passing away of Ustad Zakir Hussain Sahab leaves our world of culture poorer. Making his fingers dance on the dayan and bayan, he took Indian Tabla to the global stage and will always be synonymous with its intricate rhythms.

A doyen of music, a stalwart of creativity whose… pic.twitter.com/NtXkA4fdpO

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) December 15, 2024

Earlier today, Hussain's manager Nirmala Bachani had also told news agency PTI that the US-based musician had been suffering from blood pressure issues. "He has been admitted to a hospital in San Francisco for a heart related problem for the last two weeks," Bachani said.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee expressed shock over the Tabla maestro's "untimely death" and offered condolences to his family and followers. 

"Deeply shocked and saddened by the untimely death of Ustad Zakir Hussain, the renowned maestro and one of the greatest tabla players of all times. This is a huge loss for the country and his millions of admirers across the planet. I convey my sincere condolences to the family, fraternity and followers of the great artist," she wrote on X.

Deeply shocked and saddened by the untimely death of Ustad Zakir Hussain, the renowned maestro and one of the greatest tabla players of all times. This is a huge loss for the country and his millions of admirers across the planet.

I convey my sincere condolences to the family,…

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 15, 2024

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath expressed sadness over the major loss to the music realm as he offered condolences.

"The demise of world-renowned tabla player, 'Padma Vibhushan' Ustad Zakir Hussain ji is extremely sad and an irreparable loss to the music world. I pray to God to grant salvation to the departed soul and give strength to his bereaved family and grief-stricken fans to bear this immense loss. Om peace!" he wrote in a post on X in Hindi.

विश्व विख्यात तबला वादक, 'पद्म विभूषण' उस्ताद जाकिर हुसैन जी का निधन अत्यंत दुःखद एवं संगीत जगत की अपूरणीय क्षति है।

ईश्वर से प्रार्थना है कि दिवंगत आत्मा को सद्गति एवं उनके शोकाकुल परिजनों और शोक संतप्त प्रशंसकों को यह अथाह दुःख सहन करने की शक्ति प्रदान करें।

ॐ शांति!

— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) December 15, 2024

Hussain followed in his father's footsteps and went on to become a marquee name in India and across the world. He received five Grammy Awards in his career, including three at the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year.