NEW DELHI: Renowned Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain is currently receiving treatment in the intensive care unit of a San Francisco hospital due to heart-related problems, his friend and flautist Rakesh Chaurasia on Sunday
According to his manager Nirmala Bachani, the 73-year-old musician, who resides in the US has been experiencing blood pressure complications.
“He has been admitted to a hospital in San Francisco for a heart-related problem for the last two weeks,” Bachani said.
“He is unwell and admitted to the ICU right now. We all are worried about the situation,” Chaurasia informed PTI.
The distinguished musician, who is the first-born of the legendary tabla player Allah Rakha, has carried forward his father’s legacy, achieving recognition both domestically and internationally. His achievements include five Grammy Awards, with three received at the 66th Grammy Awards this year.
Throughout his six-decade professional journey, he has collaborated with numerous distinguished international and Indian artists. His groundbreaking 1973 collaboration with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L Shankar, and percussionist TH ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram created an unprecedented blend of Indian classical music and jazz elements.
Amidst growing concerns about Hussain’s health, senior journalist Pervaiz Alam shared on X, citing information from the musician’s brother-in-law Ayub Aulia.
“Ustad Zakir Hussain, Tabla player, percussionist, composer, former actor and the son of legendary Tabla player, Ustad Allah Rakha is not well. He’s being treated for serious ailments in a San Francisco hospital, USA, informed his brother in law, Ayub Aulia in a phone call with me. Aulia sahab, based in London, has requested Zakir’s followers to pray for his speedy recovery.”
The acclaimed percussionist, amongst India’s most distinguished classical musicians, has been honoured with the Padma Shri in 1988, Padma Bhushan in 2002, and Padma Vibhushan in 2023.