The ITC Sangeet Research Academy mourns the crippling loss of Ustad Zakir
Hussain on Sunday, 15th December, 2024, at the age of 73.
Ustadji was one of India’s most accomplished classical musicians who defied genres
and introduced the Tabla to global audiences. His prolific work as a teacher, mentor
and educator has left an indelible mark on countless musicians across the world. He
leaves behind an unparalleled legacy as a cultural ambassador and one of the
greatest musicians of all time.
Considered the greatest Tabla player of his generation, Ustadji’s career spanned six
decades. He worked with both Indian and international luminaries, including Pandit
Ravi Shankar, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and others but his 1973 project with English
guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L. Shankar, and percussionist Vikku Vinayakram
was particularly groundbreaking. It fused Indian classical music with elements of jazz
in a style previously unexplored, paving the way for a new era of musical
experimentation. His six-decade career garnered numerous accolades, including
four Grammys, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan.
The Academy is proud of its long association with the maestro and joins the millions
of admirers and lovers of music across the globe in expressing its
sincere condolences to his family.