Zakir Hussain, the internationally acclaimed tabla virtuoso celebrated for his role in bringing Indian classical music to global prominence, died on Sunday in San Francisco. He was 73.
The cause was complications related to heart disease, according to his manager, Nirmala Bachani. Mr. Hussain had been hospitalized recently after experiencing heart-related issues, she added.
Born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, India, Mr. Hussain was the eldest son of Ustad Allah Rakha, himself a legendary tabla player who accompanied the sitar maestro Ravi Shankar on many iconic performances. Immersed in music from an early age, Mr. Hussain inherited not only his father’s talent but also his mission to share the tabla’s intricate rhythms with the world.
Mr. Hussain completed his early education at St. Michael’s High School in Mumbai before graduating from St. Xavier’s College. While pursuing his studies, he simultaneously honed his skills on the tabla, quickly earning recognition as a prodigy.
