Ustad Zakir Hussain, 73, passes away in US, tributes pour in

NEW DELHI: Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain died in a San Francisco hospital on Monday, his family announced. He was 73. Hussain’s death resulted from complications of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, according to his family. He was hospitalised for two weeks and later moved to intensive care as his health worsened.
Among those who posted tributes on X were top politicians, industrialists, sportspersons and film personalities.

Social media was flooded with tributes to tabla maestro Zakir Hussain Sunday night.
Those who paid tribute included leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, who posted, "The news of the demise of the great tabla player Ustad Zakir Hussain ji is extremely sad. His demise is a great loss for the music world. My condolences are with his family and fans in this hour of grief. Ustad Zakir Hussain ji has left behind a legacy of his art, which will always remain alive in our memories."

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma posted, "The passing away of Ustad Zakir Hussain Sahab leaves our world of culture poorer. Making his fingers dance on the dayan and bayan, he took Indian Tabla to the global stage and will always be synonymous with its intricate rhythms..."
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Communications minister Jyotiraditya Scindia wrote, "Zakir Hussain ji's tabla spoke a universal language, transcending borders, cultures and generations... The sound and vibrations of his rhythm will echo in our hearts forever..."
Mahindra group chairman Anand Mahindra posted, "Rhythm of India paused today... In tribute" while Adani group chairman Gautam Adani wrote, "The world has lost a rhythm it can never replace. Ustad Zakir Hussain, our maestro whose tabla beats will forever echo in the soul of India, leaves behind his inimitable form of timeless art. His legacy is an eternal taal, resonating through generations to come. RIP" RPG Enterprises chairman Harsh Goenka posted, "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... His beats will echo eternally."
See more: Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain passes away at 73: All you need to know about his life, family, career and legacy
Meanwhile, Anup Jalota who had worked with the late artist, and toured with him in various countries expressed his grief during his exclusive conversation with us. "His passing is a huge loss because the truth is, such a tabla player has never existed, nor will there ever be one. Playing the tabla in such an effective and interesting way, he made it so engaging. His passing is a huge loss. I toured America and Canada with him, we performed together. He would play the tabla with me, and I would sing. We did 10-12 programs in America and Canada. Every moment with him is a cherished memory."