Ustad Zakir Hussain, legendary tabla player, dies at 73 in San Francisco
Legendary tabla player Ustad Zakir Hussain passed away on December 15 at the age of 73 in a San Francisco hospital. He had been hospitalized for two weeks due to a chronic lung disease, and his family confirmed his death on December 16. Tributes have poured in from the music industry, with notable figures like Javed Akhtar expressing their grief. Akhtar described Hussain as a "musical genius" and highlighted the impact of his loss on world music. Hussain was known for his innovative contributions to Indian classical and world music. He began his career as a child prodigy and collaborated with various artists, helping to popularize the tabla globally.