Musical icon Zakir Hussain has died at 73. This is the advice he said changed his career

Title: Legendary Tabla Maestro Zakir Hussain Passes Away at 73

Zakir Hussain, one of India's most celebrated classical musicians and a global ambassador for the tabla, passed away on Sunday at the age of 73. He died from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung condition, at a hospital in San Francisco, according to a statement from his family.

The family described Hussain's extensive work as a teacher and mentor, leaving a profound impact on many musicians. "His prolific work as a teacher, mentor and educator has left an indelible mark on countless musicians. He hoped to inspire the next generation to go further," the statement read. "He leaves behind an unparalleled legacy as a cultural ambassador and one of the greatest musicians of all time."

Hussain was internationally renowned for his virtuosity in playing the tabla, a pair of hand drums central to Indian classical music. Born in 1951 in Mumbai, he was the son of the legendary tabla maestro Alla Rakha, and started learning the instrument from his father at the age of seven. Both Alla Rakha and Hussain were honored with the title "Ustad," a term of respect meaning master.

Reflecting on his early life in a 2023 interview, Hussain shared how his musical journey began as an infant. According to tradition, a newborn’s father is expected to whisper prayers into the child’s ear, but instead, Hussain's father would sing tabla rhythms to him. "This is my prayer. This is how I pray," Hussain recalled his father saying. This early exposure to rhythms would profoundly shape his musical development. "It printed itself on my subconscious mind," Hussain said.

A child prodigy, Hussain was already touring at age 12 and performing with India’s classical music greats in his teens. Over a career that spanned six decades, he collaborated with numerous prominent musicians, including George Harrison, jazz saxophonist Charles Lloyd, drummer Mickey Hart, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

Hussain also shared in the interview the advice he received from George Harrison during a conversation about his aspirations to become a "rock star." Harrison encouraged him to embrace his unique identity as a tabla player. "As a tabla player, you are unique," Hussain recalled Harrison saying, urging him to apply his knowledge of rock music to tabla playing. This advice was pivotal, leading Hussain to become what he described as a "window to the rhythm world."

In 1973, Hussain co-founded the Indian jazz fusion band Shakti with guitarist John McLaughlin. The band blended Indian music with jazz, introducing a new genre to Western audiences.

In 2024, Hussain made history by becoming the first musician from India to win three Grammy Awards in the same year. His Shakti band won Best Global Music Album, and his collaboration with Edgar Meyer, Béla Fleck, and flutist Rakesh Chaurasia won Best Global Music Performance and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. Hussain had previously won a Grammy in 2009.

While Hussain is remembered primarily for his musical achievements, he is also celebrated for his kindness. Nikhil Taneja, co-founder of the Indian media organization Yuvaa, recalled an interview with Hussain. "He treated every moment of our conversation with just as much grace, respect, and affection, as he did his audiences over decades of being a tabla virtuoso," Taneja wrote on social media.

In 2023, Hussain was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honor. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Hussain, calling him a "true genius who revolutionized the world of Indian classical music" and an "icon of cultural unity." Modi added that Hussain brought the tabla to the global stage, captivating millions with his unmatched rhythmic mastery.

Hussain is survived by his wife and two daughters.