SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — Zakir Hussain, the tabla virtuoso who revolutionized Indian classical music and bridged cultural divides through groundbreaking collaborations, passed away Sunday in San Francisco. He was 73. His family confirmed the cause of death as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Hussain’s influence on global music was unparalleled. Widely regarded as the greatest tabla player of his generation, he brought Indian rhythms to the forefront of world music. Born in Mumbai to legendary tabla maestro Ustad Alla Rakha, Hussain was immersed in music from birth. His father’s dream for him to carry forward India’s centuries-old musical tradition set the foundation for a career that would transcend genres and continents.
“My father whispered rhythms into my ear as his prayer when I was born,” Hussain told NPR in 2015. This early connection to rhythm laid the groundwork for a lifetime of innovation and exploration.
Hussain’s journey to global stardom began in the 1970s when he moved to the United States. At just 19, he started working with renowned musicians like George Harrison, Van Morrison, and Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart. In 1973, he co-founded the fusion band Shakti with guitarist John McLaughlin, blending Indian classical music with jazz to create a revolutionary sound that captivated audiences worldwide. His later projects, including Planet Drum and Global Drum Project, cemented his status as a pioneer of world music.
In a career spanning over five decades, Hussain collaborated with an astonishing array of artists, from cellist Yo-Yo Ma to bluegrass legends Béla Fleck and Edgar Meyer, and even the Kodo drummers of Japan. His ability to seamlessly blend Indian rhythms with other musical traditions elevated the tabla to a global stage.
“Music is a universal language,” Hussain once said. “It’s all about the journey — not the goal.”
Hussain’s artistry earned him countless accolades. He was the first Indian musician to win three Grammy Awards in a single night, achieving this milestone earlier this year. His band Shakti won Best Global Music Album, while his collaborations with Fleck and Meyer earned Best Global Music Performance and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. These awards were the latest in a long list of honors, including India’s Padma Vibhushan and the U.S. National Heritage Fellowship.
In 2022, Hussain was awarded the prestigious Kyoto Prize for his contributions to music and cultural diplomacy. The Aga Khan Award followed, recognizing his “enduring contributions to the musical heritage of humanity.”
Beyond the stage, Hussain was deeply committed to teaching and mentoring young musicians. His efforts to share the nuances of Indian drumming inspired countless students around the world. “He wanted the next generation to go further,” his family said in a statement.
Despite his global fame, Hussain remained grounded. He often spoke about how his musical explorations taught him humility. “You come thinking you’ll teach the world about rhythm,” he said, “but you realize you’re just one dot in the universe of music.”
Hussain’s work not only popularized Indian classical music but also fostered dialogue between cultures through sound. His performances, whether at sold-out Carnegie Hall concerts or intimate sessions, were a testament to the power of rhythm to unite people.
Zakir Hussain is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola; his daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi; his brothers, Taufiq Qureshi and Fazal Qureshi; and his sister, Khurshid Aulia. His family has requested privacy during this time.
