Legendary tabla player Zakir Hussain passes away at 73

Indian tabla maestro Zakir Hussain passed away at the age of 73 on Sunday 15 December in US after a battle with heart disease.

His manager Nirmala Bachani confirmed the news, stating that Hussain had been admitted to a hospital in San Francisco.

 Zakir Hussain, born on March 09, 1951 in Bombay, was the eldest son of the legendary tabla maestro, Ustad Allah Rakha.

He followed his father’s path while also pushing the boundaries of Indian classical music, earning global recognition. His collaboration with renowned international artists helped bring the tabla to a wider audience, solidifying his place as a world music icon.

Zakir’s skill earned him praise for his flawless technique and playful creativity, The New York Times, in a 2009 review of his Carnegie Hall performance, said his "fearsome technique"  combined with artistic playfulness made his music both joyful and virtuosic.

 His lightning-fast fingers were compared to a hummingbird's wings, producing a sound that was both detailed and full of energy.

Throughout his career, Zakir collaborated with international artists, introducing the table to a broader global audience and securing his place as a world music icon. He often reflected on his early years, recalling how, at just 13, he boldly arranged his first concert. When an invitation came for his father to perform, Zakir responded instead, offering himself as the performer without revealing his age, showing his passion and determination for music.

 One of his notable achievements was his groundbreaking 1973 collaboration with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L. Shankar, and percussionist T.H Vikku Vinayakra. The project combined Indian classical music with jazz, creating a new fusion that had never been done before.