Legendary Santur player Pandit Sivakumar Sharma passed away in Mumbai due to a heart attack. He was once battling kidney disease when he was 84. For the final six months. The veteran musician, one of India’s best-known classical musicians, will perform in Bhopal next week.”He had a extreme coronary heart assault at round 9 am. He was once energetic and was once to operate in Bhopal subsequent week. He was once on regular dialysis however was once nonetheless used to be active,” the household supply informed PTI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise of the legend and said, “Our cultural world is poorer with the dying of Pandit Shivkumar Sharma Ji. He popularised the Santoor at a world level. His track will proceed to enthral the coming generations. I fondly keep in mind my interactions with him. Condolences to his household and admirers. Om Shanti.”
A Padma Vibhushan recipient, Sharma was born in Jammu in 1938 and is believed to be the first musician to play Indian classical tracks on santur, a folk instrument from Jammu and Kashmir. As one half of the musical duo Shiva-Hari, he composed songs for movies like “Silsila”, “Lamhe” and “Chandni” with flute legend Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia.His son Rahul Sharma is also a Santur player. India TV Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Rajat Sharma expressed grief over the unexpected death and said that the track world has suffered a great loss in the demise of the illustrious musician. He also said that Santur player Pandit Sivakumar Sharma was once the epitome of sweetness in every nature and music. He will be memorized in our minds for ever.
“The passing away of Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharmaji marks the give up of an era. He used to be the pioneer of Santoor and his contribution is unparalleled. For me, it’s a private loss and I will omit him no end. May his soul relaxation in peace. His song lives on forever! Om Shanti,” sarod player Amjad Ali Khan tweeted.