Ustad Zakir Hussain admitted to ICU in San Francisco

Tabla Maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain performs throughout a live performance. File.
| Picture Credit score: Sandeep Saxena

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain has been admitted to the ICU of a San Francisco hospital after experiencing coronary heart associated issues, his good friend and flautist Rakesh Chaurasia advised PTI on Sunday (December 15, 2024).

The 73-year-old U.S.-based musician, who has taken the tabla to the worldwide stage, had been having blood strain points, added Hussain’s supervisor Nirmala Bachani. “He has been admitted to a hospital in San Francisco for a coronary heart associated downside for the final two weeks,” Ms. Bachani stated.

The information of Hussain’s ailing well being, nonetheless, led to a flurry of condolences pouring in as unconfirmed stories of his demise flooded the web. The Union Ministry of Info and Broadcasting posted a condolence message on X, nonetheless it was later deleted.

Hussain’s publicist confirmed to PTI that the percussionist is being handled on the San Francisco hospital and “has not handed”.

Hussain’s sister Khursheed advised PTI that her brother is “very very important” however is “very a lot respiration in the meanwhile”.

“My brother is deeply ailing at the moment. We’re asking for all his followers round India and world wide to hope for him, to hope for his well being. However as India’s biggest ever exports, don’t end him off simply but,” she stated.

“I simply wish to request all of the media to not observe improper details about Zakir’s passing. He’s very a lot respiration in the meanwhile. He’s very very important, however he’s nonetheless with us. He has not but gone. So, I’ll request (the media) to not unfold this hearsay by writing or saying that he has handed away. I really feel so dangerous watching all this info on Fb which could be very improper,” she added.

The eldest son of legendary tabla participant Allah Rakha, Hussain has adopted within the footsteps of his father, changing into a marquee title in India and internationally. Hussain has acquired 5 Grammy Awards in his profession, together with three on the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this 12 months.

In his profession spanning six many years, the musician has labored with a number of famend worldwide and Indian artistes, however it was his 1973 musical mission with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L Shankar, and percussionist TH ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram that introduced collectively Indian classical and components of jazz in a fusion hitherto unknown. 

Additionally learn: Zakir Hussain: ‘The scholar should encourage the instructor to show’

The percussionist, one in all India’s most celebrated classical musicians, acquired the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.

(With PTI inputs)