Zakir Hussain, renowned tabla player, dies at 73 | A life in pictures

Last updated: December 16, 2024 1:34 pm

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Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain died at a hospital in San Francisco, his family said on Monday (December 16, 2024). Hussain died due to complications arising out of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, according to his family. He was 73. He had been hospitalised for the last two weeks and was later taken to the ICU as his condition deteriorated.

Hussain has received four Grammy Awards in his career, including three at the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year.

In his career spanning six decades, the musician worked with several renowned international and Indian artists, but it was his 1973 musical project with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L. Shankar, and percussionist T.H. ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram that brought together Indian classical with elements of jazz in a fusion hitherto unknown.

Here’s a glimpse into the life and legacy of the tabla maestro who transformed the modest instrument into a robust voice for universal peace and brotherhood.

Photo:
K. Ramesh Babu

Tabla wizard Zakir Hussain performs at the People’s Plaza as part of the beats of India-Yuva Mela in Hyderabad on December 17, 2003.

Photo:
V. Srinivasan

Ali Akbar Khan and Zakir Hussain at Arequipa, 1972.

Photo:
Special Arrangement

Zakir Hussain, John McLaughlin, L. Shankar and Vinayakram founded the Indian fusion band ‘Shakti’.

Photo:
PTI

Benaras gharana artists, tabla player, Kisan Maharaj and vocalist Gangubai Hangal, with Zakir Hussain during Mumbai Festival.

Photo:
Shanker Chakravarty

Ustad Zakir Hussain adjusting the amplifier at a press conference in New Delhi on December 12, 2003.

Photo:
Reuters

India’s tabla maestro Zakir Hussain plays tabla during a cultural programme in the eastern Indian city of Patna on December 19, 2008.

Photo:
PTI

Zakir Hussain with Sarod player Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.

Photo:
Paul Noronha

Carnatic vocal maestro Shankar Mahadevan with Tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain, Mandolin Vidwan U. Shrinivas, Guitarist John Mclaughlin and Kanjira wizard V. Selva Ganesh at the Gateway of India in Mumbai on January 20, 2005.