- By Srishti Pandey
- Tue, 04 Feb 2025 12:29 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
GRAMMYs 2025: Indian music lovers have expressed disappointment after the Grammys 2025 failed to include legendary tabla maestro Ustaad Zakir Hussain in its ‘In Memoriam’ section. The tribute segment, held at the 67th Grammy Awards on February 3, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, honoured several late musicians, including Liam Payne, Kris Kristofferson, Cissy Houston and Tito Jackson. However, Hussain’s absence from the tribute sparked backlash from fans on social media.
Many fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their frustration. One user questioned, “Dude, where the hell is Ustaad Zakir Hussain???” Another wrote, “How come there was no mention of Zakir Hussain in the Grammy obituary? He was a winner just last year.”
Others highlighted his remarkable achievements, with one post stating, “Mind-boggling that Zakir Hussain wasn’t given a tribute tonight. He won four Grammys himself and was a huge influence even on Western culture.” Another fan called out the Recording Academy, writing, “Just last year, Zakir Hussain won three Grammys, and he didn’t even get included in the tribute section. Idiots!”
Dear Grammys,
— Adnan Sami (@AdnanSamiLive) February 3, 2025
In your 'Memoriam',
You inexcusably missed mentioning the passing away of the Greatest Tabla Player in the World who was also a 4 Time Grammy Winner -
Ustad ZAKIR HUSSAIN from India ...
...SHAME ON YOU!
.#grammys #grammyawards #zakirhussain #adnansami pic.twitter.com/8neG1iaOBC
Shameful and extremely callous behaviour on part of the @RecordingAcad to ignore the legend #zakirhussain at last night's #Grammys2025 ceremony in the in memoriam section. pic.twitter.com/Jfq6RZt6NE
— Adi (@adi2088) February 3, 2025
just last year zakir hussain won 3 grammys and he didn’t even get included in the tribute section by them. idiots. https://t.co/fXiIvKeAyK
— ✵ (@ffssanie) February 3, 2025
Zakir Hussain made history at the 66th Grammy Awards in 2024, winning three trophies in a single night. He was awarded Best Global Music Performance, Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, and Best Global Music Album. The Indian classical music legend was previously honoured with prestigious awards such as the Padma Shri (1988), Padma Bhushan (2002) and Padma Vibhushan (2023).
The maestro passed away in December 2024 at the age of 73 in San Francisco due to complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease. His funeral saw an outpouring of grief from fans and fellow musicians, with legendary percussionist Sivamani and others paying their respects through music. Given his contributions to global music and his multiple Grammy wins, fans were disappointed by the Recording Academy’s oversight.