Tributes pour in from Amitabh Bachchan, AR Rahman, and others for Ustad Zakir Hussain
Ustad Zakir Hussain, the world-renowned tabla maestro, has passed away at the age of 73 in a San Francisco hospital, following complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. His family confirmed his death on Monday. Across generations, artists and luminaries from diverse fields have paid tribute to one of India's most celebrated musicians.
Amitabh Bachchan expressed his sorrow on his blog, calling Hussain "a genius, an unmatched maestro… an immeasurable loss." Kamal Haasan shared a personal memory, posting an image of himself playing tabla with Hussain. "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," Haasan wrote.
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Akshay Kumar added his voice to the outpouring of grief, saying, "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."
Kareena Kapoor shared a poignant, personal tribute in the form of a throwback picture featuring herself, her father Randhir Kapoor, and Zakir Hussain. The caption was simple: "Maestro. Forever," accompanied by red heart emojis. Ranveer Singh also paid homage, sharing a joyful image of the late musician, alongside a series of emotive emojis.
Zakir Hussain's passing has left an irreplaceable void in the Indian cultural landscape. Filmmaker Nandita Das, who worked with him on the background score of "Manto", recalled their collaboration with deep sadness. "Shocked and deeply saddened. An irreplaceable loss. The news feels unreal. It always will. Zakirbhai, you will be missed and how. You went too soon," she wrote. Sharing her memories, she noted, "One phone call and he said yes to the film. We worked in LA, on Zoom, in Mumbai. We argued, we laughed, we talked. I had the privilege of watching, observing and learning from him. I had some unfinished conversations that I was hoping to continue with him someday."
Das added, "My heartfelt condolences to everyone who, like me, mourns his loss and will always celebrate him and his art. Ustad Zakir Hussain will live on forever through his unparalleled music and memory of that infectious laugh that lit up our world."
National Award-winning actress Nithya Menen also shared her regret at never having had the chance to see him perform live. "What a special soul, with an unadulterated connection to the divine. A true artist. He didn't take himself too seriously. Such playfulness and lightness in his music and yet, an undeniable intensity that made me forget to breathe."
Musicians from across the world also paid tribute, including singers Abhijeet Bhattacharya, composer Vishal Dadlani, and Grammy-winning artist Ricky Kej. "Shocked, deeply saddened and devastated by the passing of the legend Ustad Zakir Hussain. One of the greatest musicians and personalities India has ever produced," Kej wrote. He praised the maestro's humility and generosity, calling him "a treasure trove of skill and knowledge" who inspired generations of musicians.
Vishal Dadlani echoed this sentiment, writing, "There will never be another Ustad Zakir Hussain. My deepest condolences to his family, to all musicians, and to music itself." He urged fans to be mindful of the emotional toll on Hussain's loved ones.
Academy Award-winning composer AR Rahman, who had long admired Hussain's work, expressed his regret over their missed collaboration: "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."
Zakir Hussain, born on March 9, 1951, was the son of legendary tabla maestro Ustad Alla Rakha. Over the course of his illustrious career, Hussain elevated Indian classical music to unprecedented global heights. His exceptional skill was recognized through numerous prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri (1988), the Padma Bhushan (2002), and the Padma Vibhushan (2023).
The maestro is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, and his two daughters, Anisa and Isabella Qureshi. Though his loss is felt deeply, his legacy, marked by unparalleled musical contributions, will endure for generations to come.
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