Zakir Hussain, the tabla maestro and five-time Grammy Award winner passed away on Sunday in San Francisco. The cause of death was attributed to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a chronic and progressive lung disease.
IPF is characterized by the scarring (fibrosis) of lung tissue, which thickens and stiffens the lungs. This reduces their elasticity, impairing their ability to expand and take in oxygen. Over time, the damage becomes irreversible, severely compromising lung function.
While the exact cause of IPF often remains unknown, environmental factors like prolonged exposure to dust, smoke, and certain infections are known to trigger or exacerbate the disease.
In Zakir Hussain’s case, there’s a possibility that one specific kind of “dust” contributed significantly to his condition: talcum powder.
The Tabla Connection
For decades, Zakir Hussain’s mastery of the tabla mesmerized audiences worldwide. What many might not know is that talcum powder is an integral part of a tabla player’s routine. It’s sprinkled generously to soften the leather surfaces of the tabla’s drum heads, ensuring smooth and precise strokes.
Given the proximity between the player and the powdered instrument, a tabla maestro like Zakir Hussain would have inhaled substantial amounts of talcum dust over a lifetime of playing.
From the tender age of five, the maestro spent countless hours practicing, performing, and perfecting his art—always with talcum powder playing its subtle but insidious role in the background.
A Lethal Accumulation?
Talcum powder is composed of fine particles that can quickly become airborne and enter the lungs. Over time, consistent exposure could irritate the lung lining and potentially contribute to long-term damage.
Imagine the sheer volume of talcum particles inhaled over decades of dedication to his craft—it’s plausible that this exposure significantly impacted his lungs, contributing to the fibrosis that ultimately claimed his life.
-Promod Puri
Promod Puri.com 