‘He’s Alive, Pray For His Health’: Zakir Hussain’s Nephew Rejects Misinformation On His Death

Last Update:16 December 2024 00:31 IST

Widely regarded as one of India’s most famous musicians, the news of the death of Zakir Hussain shocked people in India and around the world.

Tabla Maestro Zakir Hussain is currently hospitalized in the USA in critical condition. (PTI/File)

While tabla master Zakir Hussain’s reports flooded social media on Sunday night, prompting condolences and tributes from politicians, celebrities and millions of fans around the world, the claims were denied by Hussain’s nephew Emir Aulia, who called for an end to this misinformation.

“I am Zakir Hussain’s nephew and he has not passed away. We ask for prayers for my uncle’s health. Could you please clear up this misinformation? His condition is serious and we ask all his fans around the world to pray for his health,” Aulia said in a post on unverified account X.

Hussain’s sister Khursheed also confirmed that he was still alive. He told the news agency PTI He said his brother was “very, very critical” but was “very breathing right now.”

“My brother is very sick right now. We ask all his fans in India and around the world to pray for him, pray for his health. “But don’t put an end to it yet as it is India’s biggest export ever,” he said. “I feel terrible seeing so much misinformation on Facebook.”

What Happened to Zakir Hussain?

Zakir Hussain, 73, was admitted to the intensive care unit after suffering heart and blood pressure problems, according to his friend Rakesh Chaurasia. “He is not well and is currently kept in intensive care. We are all worried about the situation,” Chaurasia said. PTI.

His manager Nirmala Bachani also confirmed the same. “He has been admitted to a hospital in San Francisco for the last two weeks due to a heart-related problem,” Bachani said. he said.

“Tabla player, percussionist, composer, former actor and son of legendary Tabla player Ustad Allah Rakha, Ustad Zakir Hussain is not in good condition. He told his brother-in-law Ayub Aulia that he was being treated for serious ailments in a hospital in San Francisco, USA,” journalist Pervaiz Alam said on X channel.

But the news of his death spread like wildfire on social media, prompting politicians like Yogi Adityanath, Rahul Gandhi and Himanta Biswa Sarma, celebrities and millions of Hussain’s fans to express grief and condolences. Pervaiz Alam, who went to X, said: “I last checked in with my brother-in-law in London at 1640 GMT on December 15. The family has not confirmed the news of his death as reported by several news outlets.”

Who is Zakir Hussein?

Zakir Hussain, son of legendary tabla player Ustad Allah Rakha, started playing instruments from an early age and his talent was recognized by legendary names in the far corners of the music world. Collaborations span a variety of genres and artists, including Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, George Harrison, John McLaughlin and Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead.

He became one of the youngest recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1990 and was awarded the Padma Shri in 1998, Padma Bhushan in 2002 and Padma Vibhushan in 2023. He won his first Grammy award in 2009. American Award in 1990 for outstanding cultural contributions to the relationship between the United States and India.

The tabla master created history at the 66th Grammy Awards this year, becoming the first Indian to win three Grammy awards in a single event. Zakir Hussain won Grammy awards for Best Global Music Performance, Best Contemporary Instrumental Album and Best Global Music Album for his song “Pashto”.