Condolences poured in as tabla maestro Zakir Hussain passed away on Sunday in a U.S. hospital after being admitted for a heart ailment. The Grammy Award-winning musician was 73. Several politicians and public figures expressed their grief over his demise.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari wrote on X that Zakir Hussain’s death was an irreparable loss to the country.

Taking to X, Gadkari said, “The news of the demise of renowned tabla player Padma Vibhushan Ustad Zakir Hussain is extremely sad. My heartfelt tribute to him. The demise of Zakir Hussain is an irreparable loss to the country’s art and music sector. His contribution in the field of art is unprecedented. His dedication towards his art and his contribution will always be remembered. May God grant peace to the departed soul and give strength to the family and fans. Om Shanti!”

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav paid his heartfelt tribute. “The demise of India’s renowned tabla player,

Padma Vibhushan

Ustad Zakir Khan ji is an irreparable loss. Condolences to the bereaved family,” Yadav wrote in his X post.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge extended his deepest condolences to Zakir Hussain’s family, friends, and admirers worldwide. He wrote, ‘In the passing away of Tabla exponent, Ustad Zakir Hussain, India and the world has lost a musical genius, and a cultural ambassador who bridged borders and generations with his mesmerising rhythms. The Padma Vibhushan

Tabla maestro

and percussionist, gloriously took forward the legacy of his father with exceptional performances and collaborations. His numerous national and international honours are a testament to this.”
Zakir Hussain revolutionized tabla playing as a solo artist, merging technical mastery with deep emotion. His collaborations include legends like Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, George Harrison, John McLaughlin, and Grateful Dead’s Mickey Hart. Co-founding Shakti in 1970, he pioneered Indian classical-jazz fusion, with Remember Shakti and Planet Drum lauded for innovation.