Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, celebrated as a legendary Indian musician, has passed away.
His tabla performances captivated audiences worldwide, earning him the title of the greatest tabla player of his time.
On Sunday, Hussain, known for his "dancing fingers" across musical instruments, succumbed to the complications related to a long-standing lung ailment, according to the New York Times.
His family confirmed his death at a medical facility in San Francisco through an official announcement. They added, "His prolific work as a teacher, mentor and educator has left an indelible mark on countless musicians."
Hailing from Mumbai, the 73-year-old musician gained global recognition as the foremost master of the tabla drums, a prominent percussion instrument in the Indian classical music realm.
Introduced to the art of playing tabla at the age of 12, Hussain received his initial training from his father, tabla virtuoso Ustad Alla Rakha.
During a widely circulated interview, it was revealed that upon his birth, his father greeted him into the world by serenading tabla rhythms into his ears.
"The tradition was that the father is supposed to recite a prayer in the baby's ear . . . So he takes me in his arms, puts his lips to my ear and recites the tabla rhythms into my ears."
At just 12 years old, Hussain was already going on a tour and sharing the stage with some of India's most renowned classical musicians. As he entered his teens, he continued to impress audiences and critics alike with his exceptional solo performances, earning recognition on the global stage.
By the time he turned 18, he had established himself as a sought-after collaborator, working with influential artists such as George Harrison, Charles Lloyd, and Yo-Yo Ma.
Establishing a groundbreaking musical collaboration in 1973, Hussain joined forces with jazz guitarist John McLaughlin to create the innovative Indian jazz fusion band known as "Shakti." Their blend of acoustic fusion music seamlessly merged traditional Indian melodies with the improvisational nature of jazz, hypnotizing Western audiences with a fresh and dynamic sound.
Just this year, Hussain achieved a groundbreaking feat by clinching three Grammy awards, making him the first Indian musician to do so in a single year. Notably, he had previously secured a Grammy in 2009.
