Zakir Hussain, a distinguished tabla player from India, has passed away on Sunday in San Francisco, as confirmed by his management team. He was 73 years old.

The tabla is a critical instrument in Indian classical music, and Hussain was regarded as its foremost living master.

According to a statement from his family through Hussain’s management company, IMG Artists, his death was due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The American Lung Association explains this as a common lung ailment characterized by scarring that leads to stiffness in the lungs, resulting in challenging breathing.

Hussain was a unique talent whose music played a significant role in popularizing classical Indian music globally. He collaborated with artists like Yo-Yo Ma, Van Morrison, and George Harrison, enriching various genres with his distinct rhythmic style.

“His exceptional grasp of rhythm enabled him to traverse musical genres, forging genuine connections between styles,” his family stated.

The son of renowned tabla maestro Ustad Allarakha, Hussain was introduced to the instrument at a very young age. He was described as a “child prodigy,” embarking on his professional journey at just 18 while touring internationally with various artists.

“From the moment you enter the world, you are welcomed into it,” Hussain remarked in a 2008 interview at Google. “It’s not a choice you can make.”

Years of dedication allowed Hussain to express his music in a way that made the tabla feel like a natural extension of himself. He composed the first-ever tabla concerto, which elevated the instrument to a status of virtuosity, as noted in his family’s announcement.

In addition to performing, Hussain was a composer and music educator. He earned three Grammy Awards in one evening, totaling four wins throughout his career. His other achievements include receiving the National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1999 and the SFJazz Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.

“He leaves behind an exceptional legacy as a cultural ambassador and one of the greatest musicians in history,” his family remarked.

Hussain is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola; his daughters, Anisa and Isabella Qureshi; and his siblings, Taufiq, Fazal Qureshi, and Khurshid Aulia.