Classical music maestro Pandit Jasraj dies at 90

Legendary vocalist’s passing away marks end of a golden era

Pandit Jasraj, the doyen of Indian classical music, passed away at the age of 90 following a cardiac arrest in New Jersey yesterday.

“With profound grief we inform that Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj ji breathed his last this morning at 5.15 EST due to a cardiac arrest at his home in New Jersey, USA,” a statement issued by his family read.

A recipient of top Indian civilian honours including Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, the legendray vocalist, whose career spanned almost eight decades, belonged to the Mewati gharana or school of music. He was initiated into vocal training at the age of 14, and later trained as a tabla accompanist under his elder brother, Pandit Pratap Narayan. He will always be remembered for adding elements of thumri to khayal.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and other ferderal ministers paid their rich troibutes over the passing of the music legend.

Modi said the demise of Pandit Jasraj has left a “deep void” in the Indian cultural sphere. “The unfortunate demise of Pandit Jasraj leaves a deep void in the Indian cultural sphere.

Magical voice

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, while calling it an extremely sad day for the world of music, said, “Pandit Jasraj’s passing away marks the end of a golden era

of music. I shared so many festivals with Jasraj bhai right from the sixties. He gave a different dimension to vocal music. He was an artiste who lived life on his terms and surpassed his own time. His musical approach and genius endeared him to the planet.”

Bollywood singing legend Asha Bhosle expressed her deep sorrow over the death of her “big brother” and said: “I am deeply saddened by the unfortunate demise of Pandit Jasraj

ji... I have lost someone who was extremely fond of me, I have lost a big brother indeed!”

Indian Home Minister Amit Shah also paid his tributes: “Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj ji was an incredible artist who enriched Indian classical music with his magical voice. His demise feels like a personal loss. He will remain in our hearts forever through his peerless creations. Condolences to his family and followers. Om Shanti.”

PTI Pandit Jasraj performs at the Saptak classical music festival in Ahmedabad. The legendary classical vocalist died of a cardiac arrest in New Jersey yesterday, his family said.