Report: Zakir Hussain Dies At 73 Due To Heart Related Ailments, Breathes His Last In US Hospital

Zakir Hussain Death: Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain has reportedly died aged 73. The four-time Grammy winner was admitted to a hospital in San Francisco, California for the last two weeks after he complained of heart-related ailments. Flautist Rakesh Chaurasia had confirmed that his condition was critical. Reports have now surfaced that he is no more.

Zakir Hussain: The musician who took tabla to the global stage

The 73-year-old US-based musician has been credited with taking the tabla to the global stage. The eldest son of legendary tabla player Allah Rakha, Hussain followed in the footsteps of his father, becoming a marquee name in India and across the world.

Hussain received four Grammy Awards, from seven nominations in his career. He won three at the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year. In his career spanning six decades, the musician has 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. 

Zakir Hussain is survived by his wife and two daughters

Zakir Hussain performed throughout the Fall season in the US and the UK. He toured extensively across continents with the Crosscurrents Trio, consisting of double bassist Dave Holland and saxophonist Chris Potter. Their last show was on November 26 in Paris. Hussain was married to Kathak dancer and teacher Antonia Minnecola. She was also his manager. The couple has two daughters- Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi.

Hussain was awarded the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023 by the Government of India. He collaborated with legendary musicians including The Beatles, John McLaughlin, Hariprasad Chaurasia, Ravi Shankar and many more.