Kamal Haasan, Kareena Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, celebs pay heartfelt tribute to Zakir Hussain: 'Good bye and...'

The music industry is grieving the loss of Ustad Zakir Hussain, one of the most iconic and influential percussionists of all time. His passing has left a deep void in the world of music, as his contributions transcended borders and inspired countless artists around the globe.

Hussain, 73, passed away at his home in San Francisco due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy cherished by music lovers worldwide. His death was confirmed by Jon Bleicher of Prospect PR, who represents the Hussain family.

A musical genius and cultural ambassador, Zakir Hussain was revered not only for his virtuosity on the tabla but also for his efforts to bridge the gap between Indian classical music and global genres. His contributions have had a lasting impact on the music world.

His passing has led to an outpouring of tributes from fans, musicians, and celebrities, with social media flooded with messages of condolences. Indian film legend Kamal Haasan was among those expressing their grief, sharing a heartfelt tribute on his official X handle. The loss of such a musical icon has touched countless hearts across the globe.

Kareena Kapoor shared a nostalgic photo on her Instagram Stories, showing herself, Zakir Hussain, and her father, actor Randhir Kapoor. In the picture, Zakir and Randhir are seen smiling and shaking hands, while Kareena gazes downward. She expressed her tribute with the caption, "Maestro forever" followed by red heart emojis.

Similarly, Ranveer Singh honored the legendary musician by posting a black-and-white image of Zakir playing the tabla on Instagram. His caption read, "(Red heart, nazar amulet, and folded hands emojis) #Maestro #UstadZakirHussain."

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Ranveer Singh (@ranveersingh)

Haasan posted a nostalgic picture of himself with Zakir Hussain, both seated alongside a tabla, with the caption, "Zakir Bhai! He left too soon. Yet we are grateful for the times he gave us and what he left behind in the form of his art. Goodbye and Thank you. #ZakirHussain."

Zakir Bhai ! He left too soon. Yet we are grateful for the times he gave us and what he left behind in the form of his art.
Goodbye and Thank you.#ZakirHussain pic.twitter.com/ln1cmID5LV

— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) December 16, 2024

Born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, Zakir Hussain was introduced to music at an early age by his father, the legendary Ustad Alla Rakha, one of the most revered tabla maestros in history. 

Recognizing his extraordinary talent, Zakir began performing publicly as a teenager, quickly establishing himself as a prodigy in the world of Indian classical music. Zakir Hussain was a trailblazer in fusing traditional Indian music with international styles.

His collaborations with the likes of Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Vilayat Khan, and Western musicians such as John McLaughlin and Mickey Hart brought Indian rhythms to a worldwide audience.

Perhaps one of his most iconic collaborations was with Hart in the Grammy Award-winning album Planet Drum. Hussain also worked extensively with McLaughlin in the groundbreaking jazz fusion group Shakti, a project that pushed the boundaries of both Indian classical and jazz music. Throughout his career, Hussain garnered numerous accolades in recognition of his contributions to music.

These included the prestigious Padma Shri (1988) and Padma Bhushan (2002) from the Government of India, as well as four Grammy Awards for his work in world music. He was also honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his excellence in classical music and the National Heritage Fellowship in the United States, one of the highest honours for traditional artists.

(With inputs from ANI)