The passing of the famous tabla player Zakir Hussain has been confirmed by the family on Monday because of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; he was 73 years old. The maestro breathed his last in San Francisco, leaving behind a dent that shall always be remembered as his gift to the musical world. As the whole world of music grieves with tears, the spotlight throws itself on his net income and property.
Born in Mumbai, Zakir Hussain was the eldest son of the famous tabla player Allah Rakha. At an astonishingly young age, his musical journey began as his father introduced him to rhythm just two days after his birth. In a previous interview with Shankar Mahadevan, Hussain said, “I started two days after I was born.”. My father played tabla near my ear, believing it to be a form of aazan. This early exposure instilled a rhythm in my subconscious by the age of three.”
Hussain’s passion for music was evident from childhood, leading him to perform his first concert at just seven years old. By the age of 11, he was already touring, showcasing his prodigious talent.
The legendary musician made immense contributions to Indian classical music and the world music scenario. He created history by becoming the first Indian to win three Grammy Awards in one night and had an equally successful career in cinema, working on 12 films. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.
In a statement to the media following Hussain’s death, his family remembered him as a deeply influential teacher and mentor. “His body of work has touched the hearts of millions of musicians. He hoped to inspire generations to come and has left this world an incomparable legacy as an ambassador of culture and understanding and as one of the greatest musicians of our times. The family requests privacy.”
While Hussain’s first concert earned him a mere ₹5, his value as an artist soared, and he reportedly commanded between ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh for a single performance.
He is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, an Italian Kathak dancer, and his two daughters, Anisa and Isabella Qureshi. His other two brothers, Taufiq Qureshi, a percussionist, and Fazal Qureshi, also a tabla player, also carry on his legacy. At the time of his death, his net worth was estimated to be around $10 million, approximately ₹85 crore.
