The percussionist, one of India’s most celebrated classical musicians, received the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023. Messages of condolence poured in on social media as the news of Hussain’s demise spread. Several celebrities, including Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, and Akshay Kumar bid a fond farewell to tabla maestro Zakir Hussain through social media posts on Monday, December 16. Zakir Hussain died in a hospital in San Francisco due to complications arising from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, his family confirmed on December 16. He was 73.
Tributes poured in from across the globe as luminaries from various fields expressed their grief. Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman called him a “towering personality” whose genius elevated Indian classical music to global acclaim. Kamal Haasan lamented his passing, stating, “Zakir Bhai left too soon, but his rhythm will echo forever.” Kangana Ranaut shared a video of the maestro, thanking him for his unmatched contributions to Indian music. Gautam Adani described him as “the rhythm of India, whose beats will resonate through eternity.” The U.S. Embassy in India also honored his memory, emphasizing his role in fostering cross-cultural ties
As the world mourns, fans and students of his craft have shared clips of his mesmerizing performances, celebrating his unmatched skill and innovation. The music world has lost a legend whose rhythms transcended borders, generations, and genres.
