The legendary tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain has left us. He passed away in San Francisco, USA, while undergoing treatment. At 73, he succumbed to heart-related issues that had led to his hospitalization.
For the last two weeks, he had been admitted to the hospital, but his condition worsened, requiring intensive care. On Monday, his family confirmed his demise, stating that one of the world's finest musicians, Zakir Hussain, left us at 73 due to heart complications. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy.
Zakir Hussain is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, two daughters Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi, brothers Taufiq and Fazal Qureshi, and his sister Khurshid.
Zakir Hussain Won Five Grammy Awards
Regarded as the greatest tabla player of his generation, Hussain was recognized with the Padma Shri in 1988, Padma Bhushan in 2002, and Padma Vibhushan in 2023. Over his career, he won five Grammy Awards. Born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, his father was the legendary tabla player Ustad Alla Rakha Qureshi, and his mother was Bavi Begum.
Source: aajtak
Through his six-decade career, he collaborated with numerous renowned artists worldwide. In 1973, British guitarist John McLaughlin formed the fusion band 'Shakti' with Indian violinist L. Shankar, tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, and T.H. 'Vikku' Vinayakram. However, post-1977, the band became less active.
In 1997, McLaughlin reignited the concept with the band 'Remember Shakti,' featuring V. Selvaganesh (son of T.H. 'Vikku' Vinayakram), mandolin player U. Srinivas, and Shankar Mahadevan. In 2020, these musicians reunited and released 'This Moment,' their first album in 46 years under the name 'Shakti.'
