NEW DELHI: According to his family, tabla maestro Zakir Hussain passed away on Monday in a hospital in San Francisco. He was seventy-three. Hussain’s family claims that complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis caused his death. As his condition deteriorated, he was transferred to intensive care after spending two weeks in the hospital.

Social media is flooded with Zakir Hussain tributes.

On Sunday night, tributes to tabla maestro Zakir Hussain were all over social media.

Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, was among many who paid their respects. He wrote on social media, “It is really sorry to hear of the passing of the great tabla player ji. The music industry is deeply saddened by his passing. My sympathies are with his followers and family during this difficult time. The artistic legacy that Ustad Zakir Hussain ji has left us will endure in our memories forever.

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“The loss of Ustad Zakir Hussain Sahab makes our cultural world poorer,” Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote on social media. He introduced Indian tabla to the world by making his fingers move on the dayan and bayan, and its complex rhythms will always be associated with him.”

“Zakir Hussain ji’s tabla spoke a universal language, transcending borders, cultures, and generations,” stated Jyotiraditya Scindia, minister of communications. His rhythm’s tone and vibrations will always reverberate in our hearts.

While Gautam Adani, the head of the Adani group, said, “The world has lost a rhythm it can never replace,” Mahindra group chairman Anand Mahindra posted, “Rhythm of India paused today… In tribute.” The unique style of timeless art left by our maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain, whose tabla beats will always reverberate in India’s soul. His legacy will endure for years to come. May he rest in peace. “As the tabla loses its maestro, the world goes silent,” wrote Harsh Goenka, chairman of RPG Enterprises. Ustad Zakir Hussain, a master of rhythm who took India’s spirit to the world stage, is no longer with us. His rhythms will never die.”

In his exclusive interview with us, Anup Jalota, who had collaborated with the late artist and performed with him across several nations, too conveyed his sorrow.
“The truth is that there has never been or will ever be a tabla musician like him, therefore his demise is a great loss. He made it so captivating by playing the tabla in such an engaging and effective manner. It is a great loss that he passed away. Together, we played and toured both America and Canada. I’d sing while he played the tabla with me. In America and Canada, we performed in ten or twelve shows. Every second spent with him is treasured.