Renowned tabla player Zakir Hussain dies at 73 in San Francisco
Zakir Hussain, the renowned tabla player, died on December 16 at a hospital in San Francisco at the age of 73. He had been battling idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a serious lung disease. Hussain was a four-time Grammy winner known for elevating the tabla's global presence. He composed music for several films, including Manto (2018) and Mr and Mrs Iyer (2002), and his last film contribution was for The Monkey Man (2024). In addition to his music career, Hussain acted in films like Heat and Dust (1989) and Apocalypse Now (1979). He is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, and two daughters.