Zakir Hussain, an iconic tabla virtuoso, composer, and cultural ambassador of Indian classical music, passed away at the age of 73 in a hospital in San Francisco as a result of a chronic lung disease.
Considered as one of the greatest tabla players in history, Hussain transformed the landscape of Indian percussion and elevated it to an art form celebrated worldwide.
Hussain was known for his strong principles regarding the sanctity of music. He famously refused to perform at private gatherings, corporate events, or weddings, stating that music should remain the central focus of any performance. Hussain brought Indian percussion to global audiences, seamlessly blending it with jazz, electronica, and other genres.
Beyond the concert stage, Zakir Hussain contributed immensely to cinema. His work in films like Vanaprastham (1999), a Cannes Film Festival entry, showcased his prowess as a composer and Indian music advisor. His tabla lent soul to international films such as Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now and Bernardo Bertolucci’s Little Buddha.
