NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise of tabla maestro Zakir Hussain after the 73-year-old passed away on Monday morning in the US.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary tabla maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain Ji. He will be remembered as a true genius who revolutionized the world of Indian classical music,” he said in a post on X.
Noting his contributions to the music world, he said, “He also brought the tabla to the global stage, captivating millions with his unparalleled rhythm. Through this, he seamlessly blended Indian classical traditions with global music, thus becoming an icon of cultural unity.”
“His iconic performances and soulful compositions will contribute to inspire generations of musicians and music lovers alike. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the global music community,” he added.
Renowned for elevating the tabla to virtuoso status, Hussain is widely regarded as a pivotal figure in the contemporary world music movement. His exceptional mastery of rhythm allowed him to bridge diverse musical genres, creating authentic connections across them.
Hussain was involved in numerous historic collaborations, including co-founding Shakti with John McLaughlin and L Shankar, as well as participating in Remember Shakti, Making Music, The Diga Rhythm Band, Planet Drum, the Global Drum Project with Mickey Hart, Tabla Beat Science, and Sangam with Charles Lloyd and Eric Harland. His performances and recordings featured a remarkable range of collaborators, from George Harrison and Yo-Yo Ma to Joe Henderson, Van Morrison, Pharoah Sanders, Billy Cobham, and the Kodo drummers.
He is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, daughters Anisa and Isabella Qureshi, and his extended family, including brothers Taufiq and Fazal Qureshi, and sister Khurshid Aulia.