Zakir Hussain, one of the greatest exponents of tabla music, a form of Indian drumming, has died.
Hussain, who during his career worked with George Harrison and Van Morrison among others, died at a hospital in San Francisco from complications arising out of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, his family said.
A family statement said: “He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy cherished by countless music lovers around the globe, with an influence that will resonate for generations to come. 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. The family requests privacy at this time.”
Zakir Hussain performing in New Delhi in 2009. File pic: AP
Hussain, 73, has won four Grammys, the most for an Indian musician, including for Best Global Music Album, Global Music Performance, and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album at this year’s awards in February.
Among the many tributes posted on social media, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him a “legendary tabla maestro” and a “true genius” on X.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar said “we were fortunate to witness your magic” and “the beats will continue to echo in our hearts forever”.
Fellow cricketer Yuvraj Singh called Hussain a “true maestro”.
In a music career spanning six decades, Hussain worked with several renowned international musicians.
In 1972, he met British guitarist John McLaughlin, leading to the formation of the groundbreaking Shakti band the following year.
It also included violinist, L Shankar, and percussionist, T H Vinayakram, and their blend of Indian classical music with Western jazz won the group a Grammy for Best Global Music.
He transformed the art of tabla playing and during his long career collaborated with Jerry Garcia, the lead vocalist and guitarist of the Grateful Dread, with Irish singer Van Morrison, American percussionist Mickey Hart, Latin jazz percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo as well as playing on George Harrison’s 1973 album Living In The Material World, which reached number one in several countries’ album charts
Zakir Hussain (C), with Edgar Meyer (L), and Rakesh Chaurasia, won Best Global Music Performance for Pashto at the 2024 Grammys in Los Angeles. Pic: AP
In the 1990s he delved into Asian Underground music that fused Western music with Asian classics, but made sure to retain the prominence of the tabla.
His collaboration with banjo legend Béla Fleck, double bass artist Edgar Meyer and flautist Rakesh Chaurasia, took home this year’s Grammy for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album with the album As We Speak. Pashto by the collaboration won the award for Best Global Music Performance. The group was set to tour India in January.
He has also made music for Bollywood and Hollywood films, including this year’s Monkey Man with Dev Patel, and acted in 1983’s Heat And Dust, a Merchant-Ivory production in which his character romanced Julie Christie.
His life and career were littered with awards, including receiving the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award for “exceptional and distinguished service”. He had previously won the third and fourth-highest civilian awards.
A child prodigy, Hussain learned early from his father Alla Rakha, another of India’s greatest tabla players.
He often claimed he learned the basic rhythm of the tabla from the first words his father whispered into his ears when he was first brought home after birth.
He played his first concert aged just seven and began touring a mere five years later.
After completing his education in Mumbai, where he was born, he left for America in 1970. By 19, Hussain was teaching at the University of Washington before joining Ustad Ali Akbar Khan’s music college in San Francisco.
He was also voted “sexiest man” by female readers of the Indian magazine Gentleman in 1994 in a competition against the likes of Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan.
The jugalbandi, a duet between two solo musicians in Indian classical music has been a remarkable part of his performance.
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Fans of the style treasured the playful melodramatic musical banter between Hussain and sitar legend Pandit Ravi Shankar, santoor maestro Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, flautist Hari Prasad Chaurasia, and sarangi stalwart Ustad Sultan Khan, as well as other classical Indian musicians.
Hussain is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, and his daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi.
