Ustad Zakir Hussain was admitted to the intensive care unit in San Francisco

Tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain performs during a concert. File. | Photo credit: Sandeep Saxena

Tabla master Zakir Hussain was admitted to the intensive care unit of a San Francisco hospital after heart problems, said his friend and flautist Rakesh Chaurasia PTI on Sunday (December 15, 2024).

The 73-year-old US-based musician, who brought the tabla to the world stage, had been suffering from blood pressure problems, Hussain’s manager Nirmala Bachani added. “He has been admitted to a hospital in San Francisco for the last two weeks with a heart problem,” Ms. Bachani said.

However, news of Hussain’s failing health sparked a wave of condolences as unconfirmed reports of his death flooded the internet. The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting posted a condolence message on X, but it was later deleted.

The chief ministers of Assam, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh also took to social media to express their sadness over the unconfirmed report.

Hussain’s publicist confirmed this PTI that the drummer is being treated in the San Francisco hospital and “has not died.”

Hussain’s sister Khursheed told PTI that her brother is “very, very critical” but is “breathing a lot at the moment.”

“My brother is currently seriously ill. We request all his fans in India and around the world to pray for him and for his health. But as India’s largest exporter ever, we are not finishing it yet,” she said.

“I would just like to request all media outlets not to follow false information about Zakir’s death. He’s breathing a lot at the moment. He is very, very critical, but he is still with us. He hasn’t left yet. Therefore, I will request (the media) not to spread this rumor by writing or saying that he has passed away. “I’m so sorry to see all this information on Facebook that is completely false,” she added.

The eldest son of legendary tabla player Allah Rakha, Hussain has followed in his father’s footsteps and made a name for himself in India and around the world. Hussain has received five Grammy Awards in his career, including three at the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year.

In his six-decade career, the musician has collaborated with several renowned international and Indian artists, but it was his 1973 musical project with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L. Shankar and drummer TH “Vikku” Vinayakram that stood out in India Classical and elements of jazz combined in a previously unknown fusion.

Also read: Zakir Hussain: “The student must inspire the teacher to teach”

The drummer, one of India’s most celebrated classical musicians, received the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.

(With PTI inputs)