Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 17: Tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain passed away on Sunday, December 15, leaving the nation in shock. His death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from people across various sectors, including Bollywood celebrities and government ministers, all mourning the loss of the legendary artist.
Among those offering condolences was actor Mukesh Khanna, famous for his role in ‘Shaktimaan’. Khanna fondly remembered Hussain’s ever-smiling face, calling it one of his finest qualities. “The music world has lost its Sun today. After Lata Mangeshkar, we have lost another icon in Zakir Hussain. May his soul rest in peace,” said Khanna.
Reflecting on his personal encounters, Khanna expressed regret over not having met Zakir Hussain personally but praised his performances as nothing short of miraculous. He recalled watching Hussain’s father, Alla Rakha, perform with Ravi Shankar, describing it as a mesmerizing sight.
Mukesh Khanna also highlighted the tabla maestro’s warmth and positivity. “Zakir Hussain was always smiling, a true reflection of his art. He never seemed burdened by tension. It is deeply saddening that he left us at the age of 73. His death has left a huge void in the music world. The industry has lost a diamond,” he added.
Zakir Hussain, renowned for his unmatched mastery of Indian classical music and his global collaborations, passed away in San Francisco at the age of 73 due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease. His death marks the end of an era in world music.
Born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, Zakir was the son of the legendary tabla maestro Ustad Alla Rakha. His extraordinary career spanned nearly six decades, during which he transformed the tabla from a supporting instrument to a central figure in global performances. Hussain was not only a virtuoso but also a cultural ambassador, bridging the gap between traditional Indian music and global genres.
Throughout his career, Zakir Hussain collaborated with many iconic figures in both the Indian and global music scenes, including Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Vilayat Khan. He was also a key member of international fusion bands like Shakti and Planet Drum, the latter of which earned him a Grammy Award.