Ustad Zakir Hussain passes away at the age of 73
The legendary Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain passed away after brief hospitalisation at the age of 73 in San Francisco, USA. The legend was known to be a brand ambassador of Indian Music to the foreign shores and propagated the art form to its highest forms.
Learning under his father, the legendary Ustad Allahrakha Khan, Hussain started performing at a very young age and has been performing for over six decades. A much decorated artist, he was awarded with second highest civilian award, Padmavibhushan, Tansen Sangeet Ratna, Four Grammy Awards, Kyoto Prize from Japan, Sangeet Natak Akademi to name a few noteworthy ones.
The maestro became a part of pop culture and a household name in the 90’s with his Television commercial for Taj Mahal Tea and the slogan of ‘Wah Taj’. He also starred in motion pictures like Saaz, Heat & Dust, Vanaprastham and composed music for the same. Hussain was known globally for his international albums like Planet Drum with Mickey Hart, and Shakti with John McLaughlin.
The tributes across the world have been pouring since yesterday. However, the confirmation from his family of his passing away came today morning. Apart from his peers from Indian Classical Music fraternity, Bollywood actors, music composers have also shared their tributes.
Rest in Music!
