Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain dies at 73 in the US
Zakir Hussain, the famous tabla maestro, died at 73 in the US on December 15 due to heart-related complications. He had been hospitalized in the ICU before his passing. Hussain, son of Ustad Alla Rakha Khan, began playing tabla at age seven and gained international fame for his contributions to Indian classical and world music. He had a significant impact on the global music scene. Throughout his career, Hussain received many prestigious awards, including India's highest civilian honors: Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan. He moved to San Francisco nearly 40 years ago, continuing to perform and compose music.