Ustad Zakir Hussain in ‘Very Critical Condition’ Owing to Heart-Related Issues

Tabla legend Zakir Hussain is battling for life at a hospital in San Francisco after being admitted for heart-related ailments on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024.

Several publications and the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcast wrote online that the celebrated taba legend had passed away late on Sunday, although no confirmation of the ustad’s passing had come from family, his management or peers.

Mid-Day reported an update after widespread rounds of premature obituaries were published online. While Hussain’s nephew Ameer Aulia had first tweeted refuting news of the artist’s death, the publication spoke with Hussain’s sister Khurshid Aulia, who denied news of his passing. She said, “He is very much alive, but he is in a very, very critical condition.”

She told Mid-Day that Hussain’s wife Antonia Minnecola would share an updated statement if his condition changes or he passes away. Aulia said, “We request people to pray for him during this difficult time because he is a star of the world and a genius. He is my brother.”

Earlier on Sunday, Dec. 15, Hussain’s team shared an update about being admitted to a hospital in the U.S. for “serious” health ailments.

PTI reported that Hussain was in the I.C.U. after experiencing heart-related issues. Hussain’s friend and veteran flautist Rakesh Chaurasia had confirmed that the tabla maestro and founding member of fusion act Shakti was being treated.

“He has been admitted to a hospital in San Francisco for a heart related problem for the last two weeks,” Bachani told PTI.

Hussain was best known for decades of work that balanced Indian classical music with fusion experiments, most recently winning three Grammy awards early this year for his work with Shakti and Chaurasia.

He was slated to perform at a four-city India tour in January 2025 with Chaurasia, banjo legend Béla Fleck, double bass artist Edgar Meyer who made the Grammy-winning album As We Speak.

This story is being updated.