The news of Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain‘s passing away has left the industry shocked. The ace musician breathed his last at the age of 73 on Monday.
According to singer-actor Durga Jasraj, Zakir was suffering from fibrosis in the lungs and had become very weak. His family has shared that the artist has passed away from complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, celebs on social media shared messages of condolences.
Amitabh Bachchan took to his X handle and wrote, ‘.. a very sad day ..’ Nimrat Kaur also shared, ‘On Feb 28th’ 24, when I last watched Ustad Zakir Hussain live at Prithvi Theatre I recall my heart beating to the rhythm of the sheer genius of his talent. His international super stardom and the zenith of his achievements are forever here to inspire and energise us. As a human being, to remain the most humble, gracious and generous through his incomparable life journey is what remains etched as a soul goal for me. His kind eyes and mystical being shall outlive generations…rest in glory Ustad ji. Never shall there be another…’
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Ranveer Singh, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Karan Johar also shared their condolences on social media along with a message.
Jaaved Jaaferi also shared an emotional post that read, ‘The man who never missed a beat had to relinquish the beat of his heart. Tabla player par excellence, composer, maverick, musical adventurer, and a beautiful soul, Zakir bhai will leave a vaccum in this world which will be difficult to fill. May Allaah bless his soul’.
Riteish Deshmukh also mourned the loss of the ace musician. He wrote, ‘The irreparable loss of Zakir Hussain Sahab is a devastating blow to India and the global music community. Sir, Your music was a gift, a treasure that will continue to inspire and uplift generations to come. Your legacy will live on. May your soul rest in eternal glory, surrounded by the rhythms and melodies. Condolences to the family and loved ones of the legendary Zakir Hussain Sahab.’
Singer Kavita Krishnamurthy had also shared her tributes, saying “He has passed away. Multi organ failure …that’s the message we got. Too tragic. What a great loss to India and the whole world”.
Director Hansal Mehta also took to his X handle and wrote, ‘The maestro that made so many sleepless nights at Hindustani classical concerts memorable. The man who knew how to engage with an audience through his artistry. The Ustad who made the tabla sexy. Goodbye Ustad Zakir Hussain.’
Born in 1951, Zakir Hussain received the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023. A Grammy winner in the Contemporary World Music Album category in 2009, he was renowned for his collaborations with numerous Western musicians, including The Beatles.
