Zakir Hussain, a musician and teacher, has died at the age of 73. He passed away on Sunday, December 15, from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis according to his family. Hussain was a virtuoso tabla player who worked with artists like George Harrison, Van Morrison, and Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead.
βHis prolific work as a teacher, mentor and educator has left an indelible mark on countless musicians,β Hussainβs family wrote in a statement, per a report from Ultimate Classic Rock. βHe hoped to inspire the next generation to go further. He leaves behind an unparalleled legacy as a cultural ambassador and one of the greatest musicians of all time.β
Zakir Hussain was born in Mumbai, India, and was a household name in his home country. He helped to bring classical Indian music to the global mainstream through his mastery of percussion and composition. He also collaborated with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, sitar master Ravi Shankar, and jazz saxophonist Charles Lloyd.
Zakir Hussain, Percussion Virtuoso, Dies at 73
Zakir Hussainβs father was also a musicianβtabla master Alla Rakha Qureshi, often known as Allarakha. As a child prodigy, Hussain performed concerts at seven years old and was touring by 12. He also received a U.S. National Endowment for the Arts in 1999.
The tabla, Hussain and his fatherβs instrument of choice, often accompanied other percussion instruments. For a long time, the tablaβa pair of drums played by handβwas not widely considered a solo instrument. However, Hussain and his father are praised as some of the biggest musicians to bring the tabla front and center.