Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain passed away at the age of 73 in a San Francisco hospital on Monday, according to his family. Complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis were stated as the cause of death. Celebrities from all walks of life mourned the death of the celebrated musician. The entertainment and music world is mourning the loss of one of their legends after news of his death.
Akshay Kumar, too, regretted the maestro’s death; he wrote, “Very pained to know about the sad demise of Ustad Zakir Hussain Saab. He was truly a treasure for our country’s musical heritage. Om Shanti.”
Very pained to know about the sad demise of Ustad Zakir Hussain Saab. He was truly a treasure for our country’s musical heritage. Om Shanti 🙏 pic.twitter.com/a5TWDMymfZ
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) December 16, 2024
On his blog, Amitabh Bachchan wrote, “A genius…an unmatched maestro…an immeasurable loss…Zakir Hussain… has left us.” An old photo of Zakir Hussain and Kamal Hassan together shows the actor playing Tabla. Kamal Hassan, wrote, “Zakir Bhai! He left too soon. Yet we are grateful for the times he gave us and what he left behind in the form of his art. Goodbye and Thank you.”
Zakir Bhai ! He left too soon. Yet we are grateful for the times he gave us and what he left behind in the form of his art.
Goodbye and Thank you.#ZakirHussain pic.twitter.com/ln1cmID5LV— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) December 16, 2024
Filmmaker Nandita Das described Zakir Hussain’s death as “an irreplaceable loss,” saying she was “so saddened” by it. Reflecting on their collaboration in Manto, she recalled: “One phone call and he said yes to the film.
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Vishal Dadlani called for sympathy for his family and termed Zakir Hussain as invaluable. He said, “There will never be another #UstadZakirHussain. My deepest condolences to his family, to all musicians, and to music itself. (Got confirmation of the tragic news from Toufiq bhai himself before posting. I request everyone in the comments to be mindful of the emotional state of the family.)”
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AR Rahman also wrote in grief about the loss, “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. Zakir Bhai was an inspiration, a towering personality who elevated the tabla to global acclaim. His loss is immeasurable for all of us. I regret not being able to collaborate with him as much as we did decades ago, though we had planned an album together. You shall be truly missed. May his family and his countless students worldwide find the strength to bear this immense loss.”
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.
Zakir Bhai was an inspiration, a towering personality who elevated the tabla to global acclaim 🌟🌍. His loss is immeasurable for all of us. I regret not being able to collaborate with him as much as we did decades ago, though we had planned…— A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) December 16, 2024
Zakir Hussain is one of India’s most renowned classical musicians and is considered the best tabla player of his time. In 1988, 2002, and 2023, he received the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan, respectively.
