Tabla artiste Ustad Zakir Hussain died in the United States on Sunday at the age of 73 due to complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, his family said in a statement. “He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy, cherished by countless music lovers around the world, that will influence generations to come,” the statement said.
News of his untimely death It sent shockwaves through the music world, and many paid tribute to the five-time Grammy Award winner. Sitarist Shujaat Khan, who spoke to Hussain’s wife Toni (Antonia Minnecola), expressed in a conversation with indianexpress.com that the loss has left him deeply saddened. “I have just spoken to Tony, his wife, who has been a friend since 1976. You can imagine how close I am to the family. I can only add to what millions of people know and can say about his greatness as a musician – that he is one of the greatest of our time. Was a great musician. More than that, a great pride for our music community. The way he went about his work, fame, music, performing… My personal memories of traveling with him, and performing together. My condolences to his family and his music family for going through a really tough time,” said Khan, who recalled how the couple came to dance at his daughter’s wedding a few years ago.
Photojournalist and visual historian Raghu Rai, who photographed her for his book R.Aghu Rai: Great MusicianExpressed grief over his death. “Amazing, shocking. How could this happen to him? There has been no one like him. No one can come close to him. Zakir was beautiful, brilliant and magical. He was a madman, a great artist. He was and will be remembered as a tabla magician. .A device like him has never been silenced,” Rai told indianexpress.com.
Sarod player Aman Ali Khan said, “What can I say; I don’t want to talk about it. Totally shattered.”
Tabla artist Ustad Zakir Hussain passed away at the age of 73.
Kathak guru Shobhana Narayan has gone down memory lane. “Shocked to hear the news of Zakir brotherpassed away I’ve known him since he broke into the scene in the early 70s. And then because he and Ustad Shafat Ahmed Khan were very good friends. So there were many opportunities for the three of us to meet. Shafat Bhai, Zakir Bhai and me. I remember when I was performing at NCPA Bombay, he used to come for my performance. Once when he came to Vienna for a performance in 1982, he and Hariprasad Chaurasia stayed with us. And we had a great time for those three, four days,” Narayan recalled.
Calling the legend a “wonderful performer”, Narayan explained, “His nimble fingers could play all kinds of rhythms and it was very musical”. “He sounded like he was playing music with his fingers on the tabla. And he was a master of all instruments, all percussion instruments. You name it, and he picks it up and does it. What I loved about him was his infinite humility and friendliness. He was so humble and friendly, not an ounce of arrogance in his personality. And that’s it, and with the great artist, he’s made absolutely another extraordinary artist and human being,” said Narayan.
Narayan explained that very few people like him have “reached the pinnacle of their professional career and still have their heads firmly in place and their feet firmly on the ground”. In fact, Hussain Sahab was one of those rare gems.
Echoing similar sentiments, singer and composer Shubh Mudgal said, “I am unable to accept the fact that we are not fortunate enough to witness the talent and charisma of an artist like Ustad Zakir Hussain, Sacha Bharat Ratna. Condolences to his loss and condolences to his family, disciples and fans. Do and he was an icon to me and countless other music thanks to him.”
Kathak dancer and film producer Binu Rajput said, “The news of the demise of the great table player Ustad Zakir Hussain is very sad. In fact, the rhythm of Indian notes ended. Nothing in the world can replace the lost rhythm. His tabla spoke a universal language. My condolences to his family and his fans around the world. The farewell of the legendary table player has shocked the whole world. His tableau has left a legacy revered and respected by countless music lovers around the world, whose influence will be felt in generations to come. “
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