‘Zakirbhai, You Will Be Missed And How’

‘When
he
played
his
inner
light
shone
so
bright!
His
joy
embraced
us
all…
we
experienced
divinity.’

Ustad
Zakir
Hussain


passed
away
into
the
ages
in
San
Francisco,
and
celebrities
broke
the
shocked
silence
in
the
music
world
with
their
tributes
on
social
media.

Nandita
Das:
Shocked
and
deeply
saddened.
An
irreplaceable
loss.
The
news
feels
unreal.
It
always
will.
Zakirbhai,
you
will
be
missed
and
how.
You
went
too
soon.

I
have
been
looking
through
photos
from
2017-18,
and
memories
of
working
with
him
on
the
background
score
of

Manto
came
alive.
One
phone
call
and
he
said
yes
to
the
film.

We
worked
in
LA,
on
Zoom,
in
Mumbai.
We
argued,
we
laughed,
we
talked.
I
had
the
privilege
of
watching,
observing
and
learning
from
him.
I
had
some
unfinished
conversations
that
I
was
hoping
to
continue
with
him
someday.

My
heartfelt
condolences
to
everyone
who,
like
me,
mourns
his
loss
and
will
always
celebrate
him
and
his
art.
Ustad
Zakir
Hussain
will
live
on
forever
through
his
unparalleled
music
and
memory
of
that
infectious
laugh
that
lit
up
our
world.

Dia
Mirza:
When
he
played
his
inner
light
shone
so
bright!
His
joy
embraced
us
all…
we
experienced
divinity.

He
would
make
us
laugh
and
enchant
us
with
his
humility,
grace
and
wisdom…
his
child-like
enthusiasm
was
infectious
and
his
respect
for
all
artists
unparalleled.

There
is
only
ONE
and
we
will
forever
be
grateful
for
his
legacy
of
love,
laughter
and
kindness.
The
maestro
whose
golden
heartbeat
will
forever
enliven
our
hearts.

Ustad
Zakir
Hussain
you
are
loved
and
will
always
be
remembered
with
utmost
respect.
Deepest
condolences
to
all
his
loved
ones.
And
deepest
gratitude
to
him.
Om
Shanti.

Akshay
Kumar:
Very
pained
to
know
about
the
sad
demise
of
Ustad
Zakir
Hussain
Saab.
He
was
truly
a
treasure
for
our
country’s
musical
heritage.
Om
Shanti.

Farhan
Akhtar:
One
of
the
greatest
artists
of
our
time
is
no
more.
Thank
you
Zakir
bhai,
for
all
the
joy
you
brought
to
the
world
through
your
music
and
your
humanity.
RIP.
Deepest
condolences
to
the
family.

Kamal
Haasan:
Zakir
Bhai!
He
left
too
soon.
Yet
we
are
grateful
for
the
times
he
gave
us
and
what
he
left
behind
in
the
form
of
his
art.
Goodbye
and
Thank
you.

Nimrat
Kaur:
On
Feb
28th
’24,
when
I
last
watched
Ustad
Zakir
Hussain
live
at
Prithvi
Theatre
I
recall
my
heart
beating
to
the
rhythm
of
the
sheer
genius
of
his
talent.
His
international
superstardom
and
the
zenith
of
his
achievements
are
forever
here
to
inspire
and
energise
us.

As
a
human
being,
to
remain
the
most
humble,
gracious
and
generous
through
his
incomparable
life
journey
is
what
remains
etched
as
a
soul
goal
for
me.
His
kind
eyes
and
mystical
being
shall
outlive
generations…
rest
in
glory
Ustadji.
Never
shall
there
be
another.

Nithya
Menen:
There
is
one
regret
I
will
have
—
that
the
day
actually
won’t
come
where
I
see
this
extraordinary
artist
performing
live.

What
a
special
soul,
with
an
unadulterated
connection
to
the
divine.
A
true
artist.
Who
didn’t
take
himself
so
seriously.
Such
playfulness
and
lightness
in
his
music
and
yet,
an
undeniable
intensity
that
made
me
forget
to
breathe.

With
a
classical
instrument
he
somehow
created
comedy,
made
you
laugh,
and
simultaneously
marvel
at
his
enormous
talent.
One
of
my
two
favourite
people.
Both
gone
now.
Rest
in
peace
Maestro.
You’re
definitely
soaring
very
high
where
you
are.
#ustadzakirhussain

A
R
Rahman:

Inna
lillahi
wa
inna
ilayhi
raji’un.

Zakir
Bhai
was
an
inspiration,
a
towering
personality
who
elevated
the
tabla
to
global
acclaim.
His
loss
is
immeasurable
for
all
of
us.

I
regret
not
being
able
to
collaborate
with
him
as
much
as
we
did
decades
ago,
though
we
had
planned
an
album
together.
You
shall
be
truly
missed.
May
his
family
and
his
countless
students
worldwide
find
the
strength
to
bear
this
immense
loss.

Watch
Ustad
Zakir
Hussain
play
the

tabla.

Hansal
Mehta
posts
the
picture
above,
and
writes:
The
maestro,
Ustad
Zakir
Hussain
passed
away
a
few
hours
ago.
Goodbye
Ustadji.

The
man
who
made
the
tabla
sexy,
who
brought
an
accompanying
instrument
to
the
forefront
is
gone.
Deepest
condolences
to
his
family,
fans
and
students
around
the
globe.

Mohanlal:
Ustad
Zakir
Hussain’s
passing
leaves
an
irreplaceable
void
in
the
world
of
music.
His
rhythms
united
hearts
across
borders.
My
deepest
condolences
to
his
family
and
admirers.

Madhur
Bhandarkar:
Saddened
to
hear
about
the
passing
of
the
legendary
tabla
maestro,
Padma
Vibhushan
#ZakirHussain
sir.
His
extraordinary
talent
elevated
Indian
classical
music
to
the
world
stage,
making
him
a
household
name.
My
heartfelt
condolences
go
out
to
his
family
and
the
millions
of
admirers.
#OmShanti

Prasoon
Joshi:
Zakir
bhai
you
made
the
tabla
sing
with
emotions
no
words
could
express,
your
fingers
speaking
to
the
divine
when
you
played.

We
shall
not
mourn
your
loss
for
great
artist’s
work
lives
on.
shall
hold
and
cherish
even
more
the
rare
moment
when
you
sang
these
lines
written
by
me
for

Ashawali
Dhoop.

Amjad
Ali
Khan:
Words
fail
me
at
this
point.
I
am
completely
heartbroken
and
devastated
to
hear
about
Zakir
Bhai.
Ustad
Zakir
Hussain
was
a
phenomenon.
He
was
indeed
one
of
the
most
loved
musicians
the
world
saw.

Ricky
Kej:
Shocked,
deeply
saddened
and
devastated
by
the
passing-on
of
the
legend
Ustad
Zakir
Hussain
@ZakirHtabla.
One
of
the
greatest
musicians
and
personalities
India
has
ever
produced.

Along
with
being
the
best
himself,
Zakirji
was
known
for
his
immense
humility,
approachable
nature,
and
for
being
responsible
for
the
careers
of
numerous
musicians,
who
are
now
forces
to
reckon
with
themselves.

He
was
a
treasure
trove
of
skill
and
knowledge
and
always
shared
and
encouraged
the
entire
music
community
through
collaborations
and
his
actions.
His
legacy
will
live
on
forever,
and
his
influence
will
be
felt
for
generations.
He
left
us
too
soon.
#ZakirHussain
#ustadzakirhussai

Anup
Jalota:
Can’t
wrap
my
head
around
the
news.
I’m
in
pain.
Sending
love
and
strength
to
all
his
admirers
during
this
difficult
time.
May
we
find
comfort
in
his
legacy
and
the
joy
he
brought
to
our
lives.

Shamir
Tandon:
The

bols
of
Zakir
bhai’s
tabla
have
put
us
on
the
global
music
firmament
many
decades
ago.
Making
Indian
classical
cool
and
Youtifying
the
instrument
—
such
Gargantuan
contribution
to
art
and
culture.
RIP
Zakir
bhai.
Thank
you
for
everything.
Grateful.

Photographs
curated
by
Satish
Bodas/Rediff.com