Renowned tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain, aged 63, passed away on December 15 in San Francisco. His last rites were held at Fernwood Cemetery, Mill Valley, near San Francisco. The Consul General of India in San Francisco, K Srikar Reddy, paid tribute by draping his remains with the Indian national flag and conveyed condolences from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to his wife, Antonia Minnecola, and family.
Ustad Zakir Hussain, born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, India, was the son of the legendary tabla player Ustad Alla Rakha. He began playing the tabla at a young age and quickly gained fame for his talent. Throughout his career, he collaborated with iconic musicians like Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Vilayat Khan, and formed international fusion bands such as Shakti and Planet Drum, winning a Grammy Award for the latter.
His passing was due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease, confirmed by Jon Bleicher of Prospect PR. The music world mourns his loss, with tributes pouring in globally. Ustad Zakir Hussain was honored with numerous awards, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and four Grammy Awards.
Approximately 300 people, including family, friends, musicians, and music lovers, attended his funeral to pay their respects. His contributions to music have left a lasting impact, and he will be remembered as a legendary figure in both Indian and global music scenes.
Tabla is a traditional Indian musical instrument made of two small drums. It is often used in Indian classical music and is played with hands.
Ustad Zakir Hussain was a famous Indian musician known for playing the tabla. He was considered one of the best tabla players in the world.
San Francisco is a city in the United States of America. It is known for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge and is located in the state of California.
Fernwood Cemetery is a place where people are buried after they pass away. It is located in the United States, near San Francisco.
Narendra Modi is the current Prime Minister of India. He is the leader of the Indian government and makes important decisions for the country.
Ustad Alla Rakha was a famous Indian tabla player and the father of Ustad Zakir Hussain. He was also well-known for his contributions to Indian classical music.
Pandit Ravi Shankar was a legendary Indian musician known for playing the sitar. He was famous worldwide and collaborated with many international artists.
A Grammy is a prestigious award given to musicians for outstanding achievements in the music industry. It is like winning a big prize for making great music.
Planet Drum is an album that Ustad Zakir Hussain worked on, which won a Grammy Award. It features music from different cultures and focuses on percussion instruments.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. It causes scarring in the lungs and can be very serious.
Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan are prestigious awards given by the Indian government. They are given to people who have made significant contributions in their fields, like arts, science, or public service.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *