Zakir Hussain, a prolific player of the Indian tabla hand drums who helped bring Indian classical music to an international audience, died Sunday in San Francisco. He was 73.
He died of pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic disease that causes lung scarring, a family spokesperson Jon Bleicher said in a statement.
In the course of his career — which began at age 12 when he started touring — Hussain collaborated with a range of musicians, including George Harrison of the Beatles, jazz saxophonist Charles Lloyd and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
“His prolific work as a teacher, mentor and educator has left an indelible mark on countless musicians,” his family said in the statement. “He leaves behind an unparalelled legacy as a cultural ambassador and one of the greatest musicians of all time.”
Hussain was born to tabla master Alla Rakha and his wife Bavi Begum in 1951 in Mumbai, and is considered a national treasure in his homeland. Earlier this year, Hussain won three Grammys at the 66th annual awards, bringing his total to five.
He is survived by his wife, the dancer Antonia Minnecola, his daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi, his brothers, Taufiq Qureshi and Fazal Qureshi and his sister, Khurshid Aulia, according to his family.