Ustad Zakir Hussain Dies at the age of 73 in the US, Flooding Social Media with Tribute

 

NEW DELHI : Renowned tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain passed away on Monday in a hospital in San Francisco, his family announced. He was 73. The cause of death was complications arising from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, where the tissue in the lungs becomes thick and scarred over time, making it hard to breathe. Hussain had been hospitalised for two weeks and was moved to intensive care as his condition worsened.

Social media was flooded with tributes from political leaders, industrialists, artists, and sports personalities, all mourning the loss of one of India’s greatest musicians.

Tribute for Zakir Hussain on social media

Among those who paid their respects was Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, who posted on X (formerly Twitter), “The news of the demise of the great tabla player Ustad Zakir Hussain ji is extremely sad. His demise is a great loss for the music world. My condolences are with his family and fans in this hour of grief. Ustad Zakir Hussain ji has left behind a legacy of his art, which will always remain alive in our memories.”

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote, “The passing away of Ustad Zakir Hussain Sahab leaves our world of culture poorer. Making his fingers dance on the dayan and bayan, he took Indian tabla to the global stage and will always be synonymous with its intricate rhythms…”

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Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia shared, “Zakir Hussain ji’s tabla spoke a universal language, transcending borders, cultures, and generations. The sound and vibrations of his rhythm will echo in our hearts forever.”

Corporate leaders also expressed their grief. Anand Mahindra, chairman of the Mahindra Group, wrote, “Rhythm of India paused today… In tribute.” Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group, said, “The world has lost a rhythm it can never replace.

Ustad Zakir Hussain, our maestro whose tabla beats will forever echo in the soul of India, leaves behind his inimitable form of timeless art. His legacy is an eternal taal, resonating through generations to come. RIP.” Harsh Goenka, chairman of RPG Enterprises, shared,

“The world falls silent as the tabla loses its maestro. Ustad Zakir Hussain, a rhythmic genius who brought the soul of India to global stages, has left us. His beats will echo eternally.”

Singer Anup Jalota, who toured with Ustad Zakir Hussain in various countries, described the musician’s passing as an irreplaceable loss. Speaking exclusively to the media, Jalota said, “His passing is a huge loss because the truth is, such a tabla player has never existed, nor will there ever be one.

Playing the tabla in such an effective and interesting way, he made it so engaging. His passing is a huge loss. I toured America and Canada with him, and we performed together. He would play the tabla with me, and I would sing. We did 10–12 programs in America and Canada. Every moment with him is a cherished memory.”

Zakir Hussain’s influence on Indian classical music and his ability to take the tabla to global stages have left a deep impact on the music world. He is remembered for his intricate rhythms and innovative playing style, which resonated with audiences worldwide. His death marks the end of an era, but his contributions to music will continue to inspire generations.

The maestro leaves behind a legacy of timeless art that will remain etched in the history of Indian classical music.