‘It is the end of an era,’ these are the only words that can describe the loss that the world suffered when Indian classical musical artist, the legendary tabla player Zakir Hussain breathed his last at the age of 73. The beloved tabla maestro passed away at the age of 73 on Monday in a San Francisco Hospital. Days after his demise, his funeral was held on Thursday in San San Fransisco, and it was attended by his near and dear ones, and many renowned musicians.
It was a challenging time for everyone who came to pay their last respects. Since words alone can never do justice, drummer Anandan Sivamani, along with some other musicians, paid a musical tribute to the late artist.
After Zakir Hussain’s demise, his family issued a statement in which they mentioned, “He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy cherished by countless music lovers around the globe, with an influence that will resonate for generations to come.” According to his sister, Khurshid Aulia, the music legend passed away “very peacefully”. He is survived by his wife Antonia Minnecola, and daughters Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi.
Zakir Hussain
Born on March 9, 1951, to a family that had music running in its veins, Zakir Hussain was the eldest son of legendary tabla player Ustad Alla Rakha. He was a child prodigy, who began his career at the age of 12. By 18, Zakir had already become a global name, performing on international stages. In his decades-old career, he joined forces with several national and international artists. He worked across genres and collaborated with famous musical artists like George Harrison, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and jazz musician Herbie Hancock. He was a four-time Grammy winner and the recipient of the Padma Shri (1988), the Padma Bhushan (2002), and the Padma Vibhushan (2023).
