Pt Shivkumar Sharma, a renowned santoor player who brought the stringed instrument to the global stage and successfully bridged the worlds of classical and film music, passed away today in Mumbai of a heart attack. He was 84 years old.
Pt Shivkumar Sharma was one of India’s most well-known classical musicians. He died between 8 and 8:30 a.m. at his Pali Hill residence in Mumbai, according to his secretary Dinesh.
He had remained active until the end and was scheduled to perform in Bhopal the following week. He was also suffering from kidney problems.
“He had a severe heart attack in the morning… He was active and was to perform in Bhopal the next week. He was on regular dialysis but was still was active,” a family source told Press Trust of India.
He is survived by his wife Manorama and sons Rahul, also a santoor player, and Rohit.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences on Sharma’s death.
“Our cultural world is poorer with the demise of Pandit Shivkumar Sharma Ji. He popularised the Santoor at a global level. His music will continue to enthral the coming generations. I fondly remember my interactions with him. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti,” the Prime Minister said.
Our cultural world is poorer with the demise of Pandit Shivkumar Sharma Ji. He popularised the Santoor at a global level. His music will continue to enthral the coming generations. I fondly remember my interactions with him. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 10, 2022
Pt Shivkumar Sharma, a Padma Vibhushan recipient, was born in Jammu in 1938 and is credited with being the first musician to perform Indian classical music on the santoor, a Jammu and Kashmir folk instrument.
He composed music with flute legend Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia as one half of the musician duo Shiv-Hari for a variety of films including “Silsila,” “Lamhe,” “Chandni,” and “Darr.”
Amjad Ali Khan, a sarod player, said Pt Shivkumar Sharma’s death was a personal loss for him.
The passing away of Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharmaji marks the end of an era. He was the pioneer of Santoor and his contribution is unparalleled. For me, it’s a personal loss and I will miss him no end. May his soul rest in peace. His music lives on forever! Om Shanti ?? pic.twitter.com/GcLSF0lSh2
— Amjad Ali Khan (@AAKSarod) May 10, 2022
