Hussain earned global acclaim as one of the greatest tabla players of his generation. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he played a pivotal role in blending Indian classical music with jazz, creating a groundbreaking fusion that resonated worldwide.

Grammy Award-winning Indian musician Zakir Hussain passed away in San Francisco on Sunday night, his family confirmed.

The 73-year-old tabla maestro had been hospitalized due to complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a rare lung disease, his family shared.

Earlier this year, at the 66th Grammy Awards, Hussain won three awards, adding to his previous two Grammy victories.

"It was a great day for India at the Grammys and I'm proud to be carrying the national flag," he had posted on Instagram following his win.

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

Born in Mumbai in 1951, Hussain was the eldest son of Ustad Alla Rakha, the legendary tabla player.

During a remarkable career spanning over six decades, Hussain earned global recognition as one of the greatest tabla players of his generation.

His legacy includes collaborations with Indian classical legends such as Ravi Shankar and Shivkumar Sharma, as well as international icons like Yo-Yo Ma, Bela Fleck, and George Harrison.

In 1973, Hussain's groundbreaking collaboration with musicians John McLaughlin, L Shankar, and T.H. 'Vikku' Vinayakram introduced the world to a pioneering fusion of Indian classical music and jazz.

Through these collaborations, he played a vital role in bringing Indian classical music to a global audience.

In India, Hussain was honored with some of the country's highest civilian awards, including the Padma Shri (1988), Padma Bhushan (2002), and Padma Vibhushan (2023).