World-renowned tabla player Ustad Zakir Hussain passes away !

Mumbai – Renowned tabla player Ustad Zakir Hussain breathed his last at the age of 73 in a hospital in San Francisco, USA. When his health started deteriorating, he was admitted to the hospital. He died due to ‘Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis’ (a respiratory disease). Ustad Zakir Hussain was famous not only in India but all over the world as well. His tabla-playing programmes were held in many places in the country and abroad. He had a large fan base all over the world. His death has created a huge void in the Indian music industry. After his death, many artists and their fans from all over the world have paid tribute to him.

The Government of India honoured Zakir Hussain with the Padma Shri award in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023. He was also honoured with the Grammy Award. The Grammy Award is a prestigious award in the world of music. Once, the US President Barack Obama had invited Ustad Zakir Hussain to play tabla at a programme at the White House. He was the first Indian to perform at the White House.

The world has lost a talented artist like Ustad Zakir Hussain – Prime Minister Narendra Modi

New Delhi – Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Padma Vibhushan tabla player Ustad Zakir Hussain with these words. He said on ‘X’ that Husain transformed Indian classical music by making tabla famous internationally and becoming a symbol of cultural unity.

Deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary tabla maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain Ji. He will be remembered as a true genius who revolutionized the world of Indian classical music. He also brought the tabla to the global stage, captivating millions with his unparalleled rhythm.…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 16, 2024

Tabla lost its rhythm with the death of famous tabla player Ustad Zakir Hussain – Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister

Nagpur – With the demise of famous tabla player Ustad Zakir Hussain, the rhythm of tabla has been lost. CM Devendra Fadnavis expressed his condolences saying people had lost a great son instrumental music who used to bring together the enthralled listeners of the whole world onto one beat and rhythm with the melodious sound of his tabla.

He said Zakir Hussain, the son of Maharashtra, made the whole world crazy about tabla. Zakir Hussain, who performed the juggling act of tabla with three generations, attracted many towards playing tabla. Padma Vibhushan Ustad Zakir Hussain and tabla were inseparable. This inseparable bond had now been broken.

His disciples were serving music all over the world. He continuously tried to ensure that young and aspiring artists got a platform to present their art. The name ‘Zakir Hussain’ was synonymous with tabla. With his demise, a bright star of Indian music has disappeared. He paid heartfelt tribute to Ustad Zakir Hussain. He shared the grief of Zakir’s family and his fans.