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Widely regarded as one of India’s most popular singers, the news of Zakir Hussain’s death shocked people across India and the world.
Tabla Maestro Zakir Hussain is currently hospitalized in a critical condition in the US. (PTI/File)
As reports of tabla maestro Zakir Hussain flooded social media on Sunday night, sparking a wave of support and well-wishes from politicians, celebrities and millions of fans around the world, the allegations were denied by Hussain’s nephew Ameer Aulia, who called for the misinformation to be removed.
“I am the nephew of Zakir Hussain and he is not dead. We ask for prayers for Uncle’s health. Can you please remove this incorrect information. He is in critical condition and we ask all his fans around the world to pray for his health,” Aulia wrote on her unverified X handle.
I am Zakir Hussain nephew and he is not dead. We ask for prayers for Uncle’s health. Can you please remove this incorrect information. He is in a critical condition and we ask all his fans around the world to pray for his health— Ameer Aulia (@AmeerAulia) December 15, 2024
Hussain’s sister Khursheed also confirmed that he is still alive. He told the news agency The PTI that his brother is “very serious” but “breathing a lot at the moment”.
“My brother is very sick at this time. We ask all his followers in India and all over the world to pray for him, pray for his health. But since India is exporting, don’t finish it yet,” he said. “I’m sad to see all this information on Facebook which is very wrong.”
What happened to Zakir Hussain?
Zakir Hussain, 73, was admitted to the ICU after experiencing heart and blood pressure-related problems, according to his friend Rakesh Chaurasia. “He is not well and has been admitted to the ICU right now. We are all worried about this situation,” said Chaurasia The PTI.
His manager Nirmala Bachani also confirmed the same. “He was admitted to a hospital in San Francisco for a heart-related problem two weeks ago,” Bachani said.
“Ustad Zakir Hussain, Tabla player, percussionist, composer, former actor, and son of legendary Tabla player, Ustad Allah Rakha is unwell. He is being treated for a serious illness at a hospital in San Francisco, USA, he told his brother-in-law, Ayub Aulia,” said journalist Pervaiz Alam to X.
However, the news of his death spread like wildfire on social media and led to the outpouring of grief and condolences from politicians such as Yogi Adityanath, Rahul Gandhi and Himanta Biswa Sarma, celebrities and millions of Hussain’s fans. Speaking to X, Pervaiz Alam said, “I checked the latest with his brother-in-law in London at 1640 GMT on 15 December. The family has not confirmed the news of his death as reported by several media sources.”
Who is Zakir Hussein?
The son of the famous tabla player Ustad Allah Rakha, Zakir Hussain started playing the instrument from a young age and his prowess was noticed by famous people in the far reaches of the music world. His collaborations span a variety of genres and artists, including Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, George Harrison, John McLaughlin, and Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead.
He became one of the youngest recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 1990, and was awarded the Padma Shri in 1998, the Padma Bhushan in 2002 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023. He received his first Grammy Award in 2009. He also received the Indo-American Award in 1990 for his outstanding cultural contribution to relations between the United States and India.
The tabla maestro made history at the 66th Grammy Awards this year as he became the first Indian to win three Grammy Awards at one event. Zakir Hussain won Grammys for Best Global Music Performance for the song “Pashto”, Best Contemporary Instrumental Album and Best Global Music Album.