Zakir Hussain with his sister Khursheed Aulia

The legendary tabla maestro Zakir Hussain is alive but remains in critical condition, according to his family, who have urged the public to disregard reports of his demise. Ameer Aulia, introducing himself as the nephew of the celebrated musician, took to social media to clarify the misinformation, asking for respect and prayers for the artist.

“My uncle Zakir Hussain is very much alive, and we would ask the news media not to post misinformation. We ask for prayers and everyone’s well wishes,” Aulia posted on X. He continued, “I am Zakir Hussain’s nephew, and he has not passed away. We ask for prayers for my uncle’s health. Can you please remove this misinformation? He is in a serious condition, and we ask all his fans around the world to pray for his health. No death certificate, but the media would like to insensitively send information that my uncle has passed away. Please show the great man more respect than this. All the amazing things he did for India, please.”

Earlier, reports circulated widely, including from *The Times of India*, claiming that the 73-year-old maestro had passed away in San Francisco due to complications related to heart and blood pressure issues. These erroneous reports led to condolences from prominent figures, including Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, before they were retracted. Gadkari had stated, “The news of the demise of renowned tabla player Padma Vibhushan Ustad Zakir Hussain is extremely sad. My heartfelt tribute to him. The demise of Zakir Hussain is an irreparable loss to the country’s art and music sector. His contribution in the field of art is unprecedented. His dedication towards his art and his contribution will always be remembered. May God grant peace to the departed soul and give strength to the family and fans. Om Shanti!”

Rahul Gandhi had also expressed his grief, saying, “The news of the demise of the great tabla player Ustad Zakir Hussain ji is extremely sad. His demise is a great loss for the music world. My condolences are with his family and fans in this hour of grief. Ustad Zakir Hussain ji has left behind such a legacy of his art, which will always remain alive in our memories.”

However, the musician’s sister, Khursheed Aulia, confirmed to *The Indian Express* late on Sunday that while the maestro is critically ill, he is alive. “He is still alive. Please, I request you to pray for him. I am in touch with the family. He is very critical, but he is still breathing,” she said. News of his hospitalisation in San Francisco had been reported earlier, with sources indicating that he was undergoing treatment for serious heart-related issues and had been admitted to the ICU.

The premature reports of his death caused widespread outrage, with fans and family criticising the insensitivity of the media in handling the situation. Despite the confusion, prayers and wishes continue to pour in from around the world for the recovery of the iconic musician.

Zakir Hussain, born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, is one of the most celebrated figures in Indian classical music and global percussion. The son of legendary tabla virtuoso Ustad Alla Rakha, Hussain began performing at the age of seven and quickly established himself as a prodigy. By the age of 12, he was performing across India, eventually becoming an international ambassador for Indian music.

Over his illustrious career, Hussain collaborated with luminaries such as Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Vilayat Khan, George Harrison, Mickey Hart, and John McLaughlin. His pioneering work in fusion music, including iconic projects like *Shakti* and *Planet Drum*, introduced Indian percussion to global audiences and earned him five Grammy Awards. He was the first Indian musician to win a Grammy, which he shared with Mickey Hart for *Planet Drum*, a groundbreaking album celebrating global percussion traditions.

In addition to his work in fusion, Hussain’s contributions to Indian classical music are unmatched. He has performed with some of the greatest musicians of his generation and composed music for films such as *Heat and Dust* and *In Custody*, earning critical acclaim for his versatility. As an educator, he has conducted workshops worldwide and helped mentor young musicians, furthering the reach of Indian classical music.

Hussain’s achievements have been recognised with numerous national and international awards, including the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023. He was also honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, India’s highest recognition in music, in 1990.