The funeral of renowned tabla maestro Zakir Hussain took place in San Francisco on Thursday,

Just days after his passing from complications related to a lung disease. Numerous musicians gathered to honor his memory, with drummer Anandan Sivamani and other artists performing a musical tribute.

Zakir Hussain, celebrated for his signature ‘dancing fingers,’ passed away at the age of 73 in a San Francisco hospital on Monday. His death marks the end of an era in the world of music.

His family released a statement saying, “He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy cherished by countless music lovers around the globe, with an influence that will resonate for generations to come.” According to his sister, Khurshid Aulia, Zakir passed away “very peacefully.”

Zakir Hussain is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, and daughters Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi.

Born on March 9, 1951, into a family steeped in musical tradition, Zakir was the eldest son of the legendary tabla player Ustad Alla Rakha. A child prodigy, he began his professional career in Indian classical music at the age of 12, and by 18, was performing internationally.

While primarily known for his work in classical music, Zakir also collaborated with iconic figures across a range of genres, including George Harrison, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and jazz great Herbie Hancock. Throughout his six-decade career, he earned four Grammy Awards, including three at the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year. He was also honored with India’s prestigious civilian awards: the Padma Shri (1988), Padma Bhushan (2002), and Padma Vibhushan (2023).