WHILE social media and news channels were rife with rumours of tabla maestro Zakir Hussain`s passing on Sunday night, his family has categorically denied it to mid-day. Earlier in the evening, news of him being admitted to the ICU of a San Francisco hospital with heart related problems was confirmed by friend and flautist Rakesh Chaurasia.

Hussain’s sister, Khurshid Aulia told mid-day, "The news of his passing away is false. He is very much alive, but he is in very, very critical condition." As of as of 23:50 IST Sunday, Aulia told mid-day that Hussain’s wife has said that if anything happens to him or he passes away, she will put out a statement. But until he is breathing, they won’t say anything. Aulia added, "We request people to pray for him in this difficult time because he is a star of the world and a genius. He is my brother."