Tabla Maestro Zakir Hussain Passes Away at 73: Tributes Pour in from Celebrities Across Fields

San Francisco/Dhaka: The world mourns the loss of Zakir Hussain, the legendary tabla maestro, who passed away at 73 in a San Francisco hospital due to complications arising from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The news was confirmed by his family on Monday.

Artists, actors, and musicians from across generations paid heartfelt tributes to the musical genius, celebrating his unparalleled contributions to India’s cultural heritage.

A Legacy Remembered

Amitabh Bachchan expressed his grief on his blog, writing, “A genius… an unmatched maestro… an immeasurable loss… Zakir Hussain has left us.”

Kamal Haasan shared a nostalgic photograph of himself playing tabla alongside the maestro and wrote, “Zakir Bhai left too soon. Yet we are grateful for the times he gave us and what he left behind in the form of his art. Goodbye and thank you.”

Akshay Kumar also paid homage, stating, “Very pained to know about the sad demise of Ustad Zakir Hussain Saab. He was truly a treasure for our country’s musical heritage. Om Shanti.”

Kareena Kapoor shared a throwback image featuring her father, Randhir Kapoor, and Zakir Hussain, captioning it simply, “Maestro. Forever,” with heart emojis.

A Collaborator and Mentor

Filmmaker-actor Nandita Das, who collaborated with Zakir Hussain on the score for her film Manto, reminisced about her time working with him. Sharing photographs, she wrote, “Shocked and deeply saddened. An irreplaceable loss. Zakirbhai, you will be missed and how. I had the privilege of observing and learning from him. His laugh, his music, and his spirit lit up our world.”

National Award-winning actress Nithya Menen expressed her regret at never seeing him perform live, writing, “What a special soul. With a classical instrument, he created comedy, made us marvel at his talent, and made us forget to breathe.”

Tributes from the Music Community

Three-time Grammy winner Ricky Kej shared his devastation, calling Hussain “one of the greatest musicians and personalities India has ever produced” and highlighting his humility and mentorship. Vishal Dadlani, AR Rahman, and Abhijeet Bhattacharya also paid their respects, with Rahman saying, “Zakir Bhai was an inspiration, a towering personality who elevated the tabla to global acclaim. His loss is immeasurable.”

A Life of Musical Excellence

Born on March 9, 1951, Zakir Hussain was the son of the legendary tabla maestro Ustad Alla Rakha. He carved a niche as the greatest tabla player of his generation, transcending genres and bringing Indian classical music to the global stage. Over his illustrious career, he received numerous accolades, including the Padma Shri (1988), Padma Bhushan (2002), and Padma Vibhushan (2023).

Zakir Hussain is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, and daughters Anisa and Isabella Qureshi. His legacy will live on through his extraordinary music, his students, and the countless lives he touched.

A Final Goodbye

As the world bids farewell to this maestro, his contributions remain timeless. His rhythms, innovation, and passion for music will continue to inspire generations to come.