Santoor maestro Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma dies in Mumbai

MUMBAI, MAY 10:  A legend of Indian classical music and Santoor maestro, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma on Tuesday died of heart attack in Mumbai.

A Padma Vibhushan recipient and son of the soil, he was born in Jammu in division of the Union Territory.  He was 84.

Believed to be the first musician to have played Indian classical on The J&K’s folk instrument Santoor, he reportedly died between 8 and 8:30 am at his Pali Hill residence in Mumbai.

He had been active till the end and was due to perform in Bhopal next week.

He is survived by his wife Manorama and sons Rahul, also a santoor player, and Rohit.

The news about his death came as a shock in Jammu especially among literary and music circles.

“The world of music has lost one of its greatest maestros. Pt #ShivKumarSharma not only introduced Santoor at global level but also enriched film music with his melody. I am particularly bereaved since I shared a personal repport with Pandit ji who hailed from #Jammu,” tweeted Union Minister of State in the PMO Dr Jitendra Singh.