Ustad Zakir Hussain, legendary tabla player, dies at 73

Ustad Zakir Hussain, a renowned tabla player and Bharat Ratna awardee, has died at the age of 73. His passing on December 15 was confirmed by his family, with the cause being idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease. Tributes have flooded in from the music industry, including flautist Pt. Ronu Majumdar, who expressed deep sorrow over Hussain's death. Majumdar described it as a "very sad day for the music world" and shared fond memories of their collaborations. Hussain's career spanned nearly six decades, transforming the tabla into a prominent instrument in global music. He received numerous accolades, including four Grammy Awards and the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan from the Indian government.