Zakir Hussain (1951-2024) | A life in pictures

Zakir Hussain died at a hospital in San Francisco, on Monday (December 16, 2024). Hussain died due to complications arising out of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain died at a hospital in San Francisco, his family said on Monday (December 16, 2024). Hussain died due to complications arising out of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, according to his family. He was 73. He had been hospitalised for the last two weeks and was later taken to the ICU as his condition deteriorated.

Hussain has received four Grammy Awards in his career, including three at the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year.

In his career spanning six decades, the musician worked with several renowned international and Indian artists, but it was his 1973 musical project with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L. Shankar, and percussionist T.H. ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram that brought together Indian classical with elements of jazz in a fusion hitherto unknown.

Here’s a glimpse into the life and legacy of the tabla maestro who transformed the modest instrument into a robust voice for universal peace and brotherhood.