Reports of tabla maestro Zakir Hussain’s passing circulated widely on Sunday, prompting a strong response from his family to clarify the situation. The legendary musician, a multiple Grammy award winner and recipient of India’s highest civilian honours, is currently hospitalised in San Francisco due to critical heart-related ailments, but he is alive, his family emphasized.
“My brother is deeply ill at this time. We are asking all his fans across India and around the world to pray for his health,” said his sister Khurshid Aulia, speaking to PTI. Addressing rumours of his death, she added, “Do not finish him off just yet.”
Hussain’s manager, Nirmala Bachani, confirmed that the artist has been under medical care in San Francisco for the past two weeks. While his condition remains critical, the family urged media outlets and social media users to refrain from spreading false information about his demise.
“I just want to request all the media not to follow wrong information about Zakir’s passing. He is very much breathing at the moment. He is very critical, but he is still with us,” Khurshid clarified. Expressing her dismay at the misinformation spreading online, she added, “I feel so bad watching all this information on Facebook, which is very wrong.”
Close friends and associates of the tabla virtuoso also stepped forward to dispel the rumors. Flutist Rakesh Chaurasia, a longtime collaborator and friend, said, “He is unwell and admitted in the ICU right now. We all are worried about the situation.”
The flurry of premature tributes included posts by Union Ministers and Chief Ministers, which only added to the confusion. Even the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting joined in, sharing a condolence message on X (formerly Twitter), only to delete it later. This created a ripple effect, further fueling speculations about the maestro’s health.
Zakir Hussain’s nephew, Ameer Aulia, took to X to address the misinformation directly. “I am Zakir Hussain’s nephew, and he has not passed away. We ask for prayers for my uncle’s health. Can you please remove this misinformation?” he posted. He reiterated the family’s request for prayers, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
Born in Bombay as the eldest son of legendary tabla player Ustad Allah Rakha, Zakir Hussain carved his own niche in the world of music. Known for his impeccable technique, boundless creativity, and the ability to fuse Indian classical music with global genres, he has been hailed as one of the most influential percussionists in the world.
The New York Times once described him as “a fearsome technician but also a whimsical inventor, devoted to exuberant play,” highlighting his unique ability to balance virtuosity with playful inventiveness. Hussain’s artistry has won him accolades, including the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.
Reflecting on his early years, Hussain had once shared an anecdote about how his career began at the age of 13. A concert invitation originally intended for his father, Ustad Allah Rakha, was redirected to young Zakir, who responded without disclosing his age. The bold move marked the start of his illustrious musical journey.
Among his many accomplishments, his collaboration in 1973 with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L. Shankar, and percussionist T.H. ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram revolutionized music by blending Indian classical traditions with jazz, creating a new genre of fusion that continues to inspire musicians worldwide.
Despite his critical condition, Zakir Hussain’s legacy as a pioneer and an icon of Indian classical music remains unshaken. As fans across the globe hold their breath and offer prayers, his family remains steadfast in their hope and determination to see him recover.
For now, as his sister aptly put it, “India’s greatest ever export has not yet gone.”