Zakir Hussain, renowned tabla maestro, dies at 73, prompting tributes from leaders
Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain passed away at 73 in a U.S. hospital due to a heart ailment. His death has prompted an outpouring of grief from politicians and public figures, who recognized his significant contributions to music. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari described Hussain's passing as an "irreparable loss" to India's art and music sector. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge also expressed their condolences, highlighting Hussain's legacy as a cultural ambassador. Hussain was known for his innovative rhythms and collaborations with artists like Ravi Shankar and George Harrison. He co-founded the group Shakti, which blended Indian classical music with jazz, and received numerous national and international honors.