Each year, the Grammy Awards honor the memory of industry icons who have passed away in the preceding year through their In Memoriam montage. This year, however, the 67th ceremony left Indian music enthusiasts disheartened by the omission of the renowned tabla maestro Zakir Hussain from this segment.

The event, organized by the Recording Academy, took place on Sunday at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. During the 'In Memoriam' tribute, Coldplay’s lead vocalist, Chris Martin, recognized musicians such as Liam Payne, Kris Kristofferson, Cissy Houston, Tito Jackson, Joe Chambers, Jack Jones, Mary Martin, Marianne Faithfull, Seiji Ozawa, and Ella Jenkins. Nevertheless, many social media users expressed their dissatisfaction regarding the exclusion of Zakir Hussain, a four-time Grammy recipient.

Fans express disappointment on social media

Fans voiced their discontent on social media platforms. One user on X (formerly Twitter) remarked on Chris Martin’s performance, which honored various musicians, stating, "Dude, where the hell is Ustaad Zakir Hussain???"

Another user expressed their frustration, asking, "How come there was no mention of Zakir Hussain in the Grammy obituary? #Grammys2025 He was a winner just last year."

A further tweet noted, "It is astonishing that Zakir Hussain wasn’t honored tonight. He himself won four Grammys and significantly influenced Western culture."

Another individual questioned, "How did you forget to include #GRAMMYs winner from 2024, Ustad Zakir Hussain, in your 'In Memoriam' segment? @RecordingAcad #Grammys2025 @coldplay."

A particularly upset fan commented, "Just last year, Zakir Hussain won three Grammys, and he wasn’t even acknowledged in the tribute section. Unbelievable!"

Zakir Hussain’s achievements

Zakir Hussain's accomplishments are noteworthy. At the 66th Grammy Awards, he etched his name in history as the first Indian artist to secure three awards in one evening. His accolades included Best Global Music Performance, Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, and Best Global Music Album. Renowned as one of India's premier classical musicians, he received the Padma Shri in 1988, followed by the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.

The tabla virtuoso passed away at the age of 73 in San Francisco in December 2024, succumbing to complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a serious lung condition. A multitude of admirers gathered at his funeral to pay their final tributes. Prominent percussionist Sivamani, along with various other musicians, performed on drums from a distance as a mark of respect.

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