PM Modi has expressed grief over the demise of famous tabla player Ustad Zakir Hussain. He said that Ustad Zakir Hussain will always be remembered as a great person who gave a new identity to Indian culture. PM Modi also described him as a pillar of cultural unity.

Zakir Hussain died on Monday morning in San Francisco, USA. The 73-year-old tabla player living in America was admitted to the hospital due to a heart problem. Zakir was admitted to the hospital for about 2 weeks, but on Sunday his condition worsened, after which he was kept in the ICU.

What did PM Modi write?

PM Modi condoled the death of Zakir Hussain on social media platform X and wrote “Deeply saddened by the demise of the great tabla player Ustad Zakir Hussain ji. He will be remembered as a true genius who revolutionised the world of Indian classical music. He also brought the tabla to the global stage and mesmerised millions with his unmatched rhythm. Through this, he seamlessly blended Indian classical traditions with global music, thus becoming a symbol of cultural unity. His iconic performances and soulful compositions will contribute to inspiring generations of musicians and music lovers. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the global music community.”

Zakir Husain was honored with Padma Award

Zakir Hussain was born on March 9, 1951 in Bombay (now Mumbai). His father Ustad Allah Rakha Khan was a famous tabla player. Zakir learned tabla playing from his father. He started playing tabla in concerts at the age of seven. After graduating from St. Xavier's College in Mumbai, Zakir completed a doctorate degree in music from the University of Washington. He worked with drummer Mickey Hart for Planet Drum in 1991 and won a Grammy Award. Hussain contributed to the soundtracks of several films. He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1991. He was also part of the team that composed the music for the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. He is also the first Indian musician to be invited to the White House by former US President Barack Obama in 2016 to participate in the All-Star Global Concert. Zakir Hussain was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023