Legendary Santoor player Pandit Shivkumar Sharma passes away at 84

On May 10, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, legendary Santoor player, passed away in Mumbai at the age of 84 due to cardiac arrest. He was undergoing dialysis since six months because of his kidney-related issues.

Pandit Sharma, born in Jammu, is credited for popularizing ‘Santoor’ in India and abroad. His tryst with Santoor learning began at a tender age of 13. He gave his first public performance in 1955 at 17. The following year, he composed background music for one of the scenes for the film ‘Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje.’ 1960, Pandit Sharma recorded his first ever single album.

With another Indian maestro Hariprasad Chaurasia (flautist), Pandit Sharma had composed music for popular Bollywood movies, including Chandini, Silsila and Darr.

Condolences have started pouring in since news of his demise broke out today morning. The funeral ceremony of Pandit Shivkumar Sharma will be held today evening in Mumbai.