Shortly after Zakir Hussain’s passing on Monday, Oscar-winning music composer A.R. Rahman revealed that he had planned an album with the tabla maestro. In a post on X, Rahman regretted not being able to collaborate with Hussain as much as they used to decades ago.

Paying tribute to Hussain, Rahman wrote on X, “Zakir Bhai was an inspiration, a towering personality who elevated the tabla to global acclaim. His loss is immeasurable for all of us. I regret not being able to collaborate with him as much as we did decades ago, though we had planned an album together.”

“You shall be truly missed. May his family and his countless students worldwide find the strength to bear this immense loss,” added Rahman.

The 57-year-old musician also shared pictures with Hussain on Instagram.

According to a statement issued by the family, Hussain died of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease that causes the lungs to become scarred and stiff. He was 73.

Hussain, who is one of the most celebrated classical musicians of India, is survived by his widow, Antonia Minnecola, and their daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi. Born on March 9, 1951, he is the son of legendary tabla master Ustad Alla Rakha.

Hussain received four Grammy Awards in his career spanning six decades, including three at the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year.

The late tabla maestro received the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.