Zakir Hussain, renowned Indian tabla maestro, dies at 73 in San Francisco
Zakir Hussain, the renowned Indian tabla maestro, has died at 73 in San Francisco after battling idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. His family confirmed his passing on Monday morning. Hussain was a key figure in modern world music, known for blending the tabla with various genres. Born on March 9, 1951, Hussain began his musical journey at a young age, performing publicly by 12. He gained fame in the 1970s, collaborating with artists like Ravi Shankar and George Harrison, and co-founding the Indo-Jazz band Shakti. His career included numerous awards and groundbreaking projects. Hussain's achievements included three Grammy Awards in 2024 and a significant role in the music for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He was also a visiting professor at Princeton and Stanford, and received an honorary degree from Mumbai University in 2022.