Tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain, the legend known for his ‘dancing fingers’, died at 73 in a San Francisco hospital early Monday. He was suffering from complications caused by a chronic lung disease, his family said in a statement.

“He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy cherished by countless music lovers around the globe, with an influence that will resonate for generations to come,” the statement read.

Zakir Hussain had been in hospital for the past two weeks and was shifted to the intensive care unit (ICU) after his condition deteriorated.

According to his sister, Khurshid Aulia, the music legend died “very peacefully”.

Zakir Hussain’s death marks the end of an era in the world of music.

Born on March 9, 1951, to a family of musical excellence, Zakir Hussain was the eldest son of legendary tabla player Ustad Alla Rakha and a child prodigy, by all accounts.

The tabla virtuoso began his professional career at the age of 12, accompanying Indian classical musicians. Years of discipline and training were peppered by childish “escape attempts” that always ended at home – and a good sounding off from his mother – as Zakir Hussain realised that the future he wanted started at home.

By 18, he was already performing on international stages. As he won acclaim for his accompaniment, his dazzling solo performances, and pioneering collaborative work to develop a dialogue between North and South Indian musicians, the status of the table soared, both in India and across the world.

Some of his unique and historic collaborations include Shakti, Remember Shakti, Masters of Percussion, Planet Drum and Global Drum Project with Mickey Hart, and Tabla Beat Science, among others.

Zakir Hussain’s work was not just confined to classical music. He has also collaborated with some of the greatest names in music across genres such as George Harrison, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and jazz musician Herbie Hancock.

The tabla maestro has received several honorary doctorates. In 2019, he received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, India’s highest honour for artists. 

Earlier this year, Zakir Hussain became the first musician from India to receive three Grammy awards at one time. He received Grammys for Best Global Music Album, Best Global Music Performance, and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.

Across social media platforms, messages of grief and admiration for the legend have been pouring in. Musicians, artists, and fans from around the globe have expressed their sorrow, celebrating the legacy of a man whose artistry transcended borders.

Renowned sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan, who had many collaborations with Zakir Hussain, wrote on X, “Words fail me at this point. I am completely heartbroken and devastated to hear about Zakir Bhai. Ustad Zakir Hussain was a phenomenon. He was indeed one of the most loved musicians the world saw.”

In his last social media post, Zakir Hussain had shared a video capturing the essence of the fall season in the US back in October. “Trees, changing colours, all colours, gently swaying in the wind… So beautiful to watch.. The movement is so graceful, so unbelievable. I wanna walk out here… “

In the caption, he wrote, “Just sharing a wonder moment.”

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, battling heart-related problems, died at a US hospital today. He was 73. 

His manager, Nirmala Bachani, said he was admitted to a hospital in San Francisco. 

“Zakir Hussain, the peerless North Indian tabla player, favors an impish strain of virtuosity. He’s a fearsome technician but also a whimsical inventor, devoted to exuberant play. So he rarely seems overbearing, even when the blur of his fingers rivals the beat of a hummingbird’s wings,” wrote New York Times about the artist when he performed at Carnegie Hall in 2009. 

The Bombay-born eldest son of legendary tabla player Allah Rakha, Zakir Hussain followed in the footsteps of his father, becoming a marquee name in India and across the world.

Once narrating the story of his first booking, the percussionist said a letter came to their house offering a concert date to his father. Zakir wrote back saying that his father would not be able to accept the engagement but that his son was available. However, he didn’t mention in the letter that he was only 13. It worked, and his musical career was under way. 

A recipient of many awards, he received five Grammy Awards in his career, including three at the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year.

In a career spanning six decades, the musician worked with several renowned international and Indian artistes, but it was his 1973 musical project with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L Shankar, and percussionist TH ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram that brought together Indian classical and elements of jazz in a fusion hitherto unknown.

The percussionist, one of India’s most celebrated classical muscians, received the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.

Zakir Hussain, the peerless tabla player and multiple Grammy award winner, is critical and in a US hospital over serious heart-related ailments, his family said on Sunday.

His manager, Nirmala Bachani, said the artist he has been in a San Francisco hospital for the last two weeks.

“My brother is deeply ill at this time. We are asking for all his fans around India and around the world to pray for him, to pray for his health. But as India’s greatest ever exports, do not finish him off just yet,” Zakir Hussain’s sister Khurshid Aulia told news agency PTI amid multiple reports that her brother had died.

“I just want to request all the media not to follow wrong information about Zakir’s passing. He is very much breathing at the moment. He is very very critical, but he’s still with us. He has not yet gone. So, I will request (the media) not to spread this rumour by writing or saying that he has passed away. I feel so bad watching all this information on Facebook which is very wrong,” she added.

“He is unwell and admitted in the ICU right now. We all are worried about the situation,” Zakir Hussain’s friend and flautist Rakesh Chaurasia also told the news agency.

Union Ministers, Chief Ministers and others posted on X paying tributes to the tabla maestro amid death reports though there was no official statement from Zakir Hussain’s family.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Ministry, which posted about the artist’s death, later deleted its post on X. 

“I am Zakir Hussain nephew and he has not passed away. We ask for prayers for my Uncle’s health. Can you please remove this misinformation. He is in a serious condition and we ask for all his fans around the world to pray for his health,” said Ameer Aulia on X.

The Bombay-born eldest son of legendary tabla player Allah Rakha, Zakir Hussain followed in the footsteps of his father, becoming a marquee name in India and across the world.

“Zakir Hussain, the peerless North Indian tabla player, favors an impish strain of virtuosity. He’s a fearsome technician but also a whimsical inventor, devoted to exuberant play. So he rarely seems overbearing, even when the blur of his fingers rivals the beat of a hummingbird’s wings,” wrote New York Times about the artist when he performed at Carnegie Hall in 2009.

Once narrating the story of his first booking, the percussionist said a letter came to their house offering a concert date to his father. Zakir wrote back saying that his father would not be able to accept the engagement but that his son was available. However, he didn’t mention in the letter that he was only 13. It worked, and his musical career was under way.

The musician has worked with several renowned international and Indian artistes, but it was his 1973 musical project with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L Shankar, and percussionist TH ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram that brought together Indian classical and elements of jazz in a fusion hitherto unknown.

The percussionist, one of India’s most celebrated classical musicians, received the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.