Zakir Hussain, one of the world's greatest tabla players, has died at the age of 73

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disease that causes scarring of the lung tissue, making it increasingly difficult to breathe. The condition has no known cause or cure and often leads to severe respiratory complications.

As one of the greatest tabla players of all time, Hussain was known for his incredible skill and ability to bring Indian classical music to the world stage.

Though traditionally regarded as an accompanying instrument in Indian classical music, the tabla - a pair of hand-played drums - was elevated by Zakir Hussain into a powerful solo instrument.

His work went beyond performance. Hussain composed music for films, taught students worldwide and collaborated with artists like George Harrison and Herbie Hancock. His talent earned him India’s highest honors, including the Padma Bhushan and a Grammy Award in 1992 for the album Planet Drum.

The Grammy winner was born in Mumbai on March 9, 1951, as the son of legendary tabla player Ustad Alla Rakha. He began learning the tabla as a child and performed professionally by the age of 12.

Hussain’s career was marked by a mix of tradition and innovation. He played with legends like Ravi Shankar and Shivkumar Sharma while also experimenting with global sounds. In the 1970s, he co-founded Shakti, a group blending Indian and Western music. He later explored electronic and fusion music through projects like Tabla Beat Science.

Upon the news of his death, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "a true genius who revolutionised the world of Indian classical music".