San Francisco [US], December 20: Legendary tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain, a key figure in popularizing Indian classical music worldwide, was laid to rest in San Francisco on Friday. His funeral was attended by family, friends, and numerous renowned musicians, including drummer Sivamani, who paid a musical tribute alongside others.
Before the funeral rites, an emotional Sivamani shared his memories of Zakir Hussain on Instagram, expressing his deep admiration for the maestro. Fans also gathered in large numbers to offer their final respects to the legendary artist.
On behalf of the Government of India, Consul General K. Srikar Reddy paid tribute by draping Ustad Zakir Hussain’s mortal remains with the Indian national flag. He offered condolences to Hussain’s wife, Antonia Minnecola, and family, and read out a condolence message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X. The event saw the attendance of around 300 people, including family, friends, fellow musicians, and members of the Indian diaspora.
Ustad Zakir Hussain, son of the legendary tabla player Alla Rakha, was known for blending traditional Indian music with global influences, creating timeless masterpieces that transcended cultural boundaries. He passed away on December 15, leaving behind an indelible mark on the music world. According to his family, he succumbed to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a condition that causes scarring of the lungs, making breathing progressively difficult.
Hussain is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, and daughters Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi. His rhythms and contributions to music will continue to resonate in the hearts of his fans around the world.