Renowned tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain has passed away at the age of 73 in the United States, as confirmed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The ministry expressed its condolences on social media, stating, “The world has lost a true musical genius. Zakir Hussain’s contributions to the world of music will forever be cherished.”
Hussain had been hospitalized due to serious health concerns and was later moved to the ICU, with reports indicating that he had been dealing with heart-related issues. His close friend, flautist Rakesh Chaurasia, noted that Hussain was admitted to the ICU prior to his passing.
Confusion arose regarding his death when Ameer Aulia, who claimed to be Hussain’s nephew, denied the reports, asserting,”My uncle Zakir Hussain is very much alive and we would ask the news media not to post misinformation. We ask for prayers and we ask for everyone’s well wishes.”
However, shortly after the news broke, industrialist Harsh Goenka expressed his sorrow on Twitter, saying, “The world falls silent as the tabla loses its maestro. Ustad Zakir Hussain, a rhythmic genius who brought the soul of India to global stages, has left us. I was privileged to know him because of his connection with HMV and hear him perform at our home. His beats will echo eternally.”
Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia also paid tribute, stating that Hussain’s tabla spoke a universal language that transcended borders, cultures, and generations. He emphasized that “the sound and vibrations of his rhythm will echo in our hearts forever,” celebrating Hussain’s enduring legacy as a master musician.