Zakir Hussain's friends and admirers gather to pay tribute at his funeral. Photo: PTI Zakir Hussain's friends and admirers gather to pay tribute at his funeral. Photo: PTI Renowned tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, was laid to rest on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at the Fernwood Cemetery in San Francisco. Hussain, 73, passed away on December 15 due to complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a rare lung disease.
The funeral of the maestro celebrated globally for revolutionizing Indian classical music witnessed an outpour of love and respect, with hundreds of admirers and musicians gathering to bid farewell to the legendary percussionist. Close friend and celebrated drummer Anandan Sivamani led a moving tribute, performing alongside fellow musicians at a respectful distance.
Speaking to PTI Sivamani stated, “Rhythm is God, that is you, Zakir bhai. I learned a lot in our journey from 1982 till now. Every moment, you are here with us in the rhythm.”
Hussain, born on 9 March, 1951, was the son of tabla maestro Alla Rakha. A child prodigy, he quickly became a pioneer in expanding the tabla’s scope, blending Indian classical music with jazz, and Western classical genres. His 1973 collaboration known as Shakti with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L. Shankar, and percussionist T.H. “Vikku” Vinayakram—created groundbreaking fusion music.
On the other hand, Japan is coming off a defeat at the hands of India's dominance, losing 1-4 to the Men in Blue. Japan's sole goal came from Matsumoto who scored with a lucky deflection to give his side their first and only goal of the game.
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Over a six-decade career, Hussain’s artistry earned him countless accolades. As per NDTV, he won four Grammy Awards, including three earlier this year at the 66th Grammy Awards, and India’s highest civilian honors: Padma Shri (1988), Padma Bhushan (2002), and Padma Vibhushan (2023). Notably, in 2016, he became the first Indian artist to perform at the White House under President Barack Obama’s tenure, cementing his global acclaim.
Hussain’s family issued a heartfelt statement, saying, “He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy cherished by countless music lovers around the globe, with an influence that will resonate for generations to come.”
Also Read | From Prodigy To Global Icon: The Life And Legacy Of Zakir Hussain
shen168Tributes poured in from around the world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called himgold99, “a true genius who revolutionized Indian classical music.” Grammy-winning composer Ricky Kej praised Hussain’s “immense humility” and his role in nurturing the next generation of musicians.
