How Sharma fused classical pride with pop
Along with flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia, Shivkumar Sharma formed "Shiv-hari", composing music for Bollywood movies. And that is just a small part of the santoor exponent's contribution to the world of music.
AMONG INDIA’S BEST-KNOWN CLASSICAL MUSICIANS
Sharma, one of India's most well-known classical musicians, died early in the morning at his Pali Hill residence in Mumbai. Sharma, one half of the 'Shiv-hari' composer duo with flautist Hari Prasad Chaurasia, is survived by his wife Manorama and sons Rahul (also a santoor player) and Rohit STILL TOURING: He was active till his final days. Despite suffering from ailments, and being on dialysis, he was to perform in Bhopal next week
FINAL RITES: His body will be visible for “public darshan” from 10am to 1pm in Juhu Wednesday, following which he will be accorded a state funeral BROUGHT SANTOOR TO THE WORLD A PADMA VIBHUSHAN recipient, he is believed to be the first musician to have played Indian classical music on the santoor, a folk instrument from Jammu and Kashmir. Having made a mark across India, Sharma also helped spread the santoor’s popularity across the world
FROM A STUDENT’S PERSPECTIVE
“Pandit Shivkumar Sharma was my life. I got into music only because of him. I was 13 when I told my father that I wanted to learn the santoor from Pandit Shivkumar Sharma ji. We went to his Bandra home and he embraced me as a student with open arms in 1975... I received so much love from him, his wife and his children. He was a special guru... Santoor is a very difficult instrument and he took it to unimaginable heights...”
— PANDIT SATISH VYAS, one of his oldest students
TRIBUTES POUR IN
"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, Prime Minister
“Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma's recitals would leave connoisseurs of Indian classical music spellbound. He popularized Santoor, the traditional musical instrument from J&K. Sad to learn that his Santoor is now silenced. Condolences to his family, friends and countless fans everywhere." — RAM NATH KOVIND, President