Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led worldwide messages of condolences over the passing of legendary tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain, who breathed his last on December 15 aged 73 following a heart ailment.
The legendary musician had been receiving treatment for heart-related complications in the ICU of a San Francisco hospital for the past two weeks. The cause of the death was confirmed to be idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease. The news was confirmed by Jon Bleicher of Prospect PR, representing the family.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest percussionists of all time, Ustad Zakir Hussain was not only a master of his craft but also a cultural bridge-builder who elevated Indian classical music to international acclaim.
His contributions to both traditional and contemporary music have left an indelible mark on the global music landscape. Born on 9 March 1951 in Mumbai, Zakir Hussain inherited his talent and passion for tabla from his father, the iconic Ustad Alla Rakha.
The demise of the Padma Vibhushan awardee has left the music world and his countless admirers in profound grief, with tributes and condolences pouring in from fellow music industry artists, film personalities and politicians expressed their deep sorrow at the untimely passing of a legend.
Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan noted: “Words fail me at this point. I am completely heartbroken and devastated to hear about Zakir Bhai. Ustad Zakir Hussain was a phenomenon. He was indeed one of the most loved musicians the world saw."
(ANI)