Ustad Mahmood Dholpuri dies at 58

Eminent harmonium player Ustad Mahmood Dholpuri died after prolonged illness in New Delhi on Tuesday night. He was 58.

Dholpuri, a Padma Shri awardee, is survived by three daughters and two sons. His last rites will be performed at his native place Dholpur near Gwalior on Wednesday.

Dholpuri regularly accompanied the most prominent vocalists of India, namely Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Kishori Amonkar, Girija Devi and Pandit Jasraj.

?He was a great harmonium player. He was very popular among the vocalists of India. Everyone used to demand him during concerts,? sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan told IBNS.

?He was not internationally famous, but a favourite among vocalists in India. He was a great human being, very kind and dedicated to music. His death is a big loss to the music world. We will all miss him.?

Lamenting his death, Khan said Dholpuri was under severe financial crisis.

?He was undergoing severe financial crisis. He was hospitalized for the past 2-3 months,? said Khan.

Reminiscing his association with Dholpuri, Khan said: ?I used to see him at every music fest. He considered me like his father. He used to phone me regularly and come to me whenever he had any problem.?

?His elder son Fakruddin, who is a outstanding sarangi player, made the first phone call to me after his death and gave me the sad news,? said Ustadji.

Dhopuri?s younger son Zakir said no one can match the level to which his father took his art.

?My father turned a foreign instrument to a Hindustani one. No one can take harmonium playing to the level he took his art. If there will ever be a history written on contribution of harmonium in Indian music, his name will definitely feature in it,? Zakir told IBNS.