Pandit Bhimsen Joshi dies of organ failure; PM, VP condole
Pune : Legendary Hindustani classical vocalist Pandit Bhimsen Joshi passed away on Monday, leaving behind a mourning nation and an irreplaceable void in the music scene.
A Bharat Ratna awardee, the music maestro, who had been on life-support system for the past few days, breathed his last at the Sayadari hospital here at about 8 am. He was 89.
His organs had been failing due to age. He was 89.
Joshi?s death has cast a pall of gloom in the nation, especially in the music fraternity.
Condoling his death, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in a message, said, ?I was deeply grieved to learn of the sad demise of Pandit Bhimsen Joshi. I join music lovers across the world in mourning the demise of this iconic vocalist. In his passing away, the nation and the music world has lost a towering musical genius and the most famous and accomplished exponent of the Kirana gharana.?
Vice-President Hamid Ansari, in his condolence message, said, ?I am deeply grieved to learn about the sad demise of Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Bharat Ratna awardee and one of the titans of Hindustani music of our times.?
?His rendering of devotional and patriotic songs are etched in public memory. By his personal example, he has demonstrated that a thirst for knowledge and music can propel individuals with limited means to seek such learning against all odds. His loss has created a huge void in the world of music. His services and contribution to music shall always be remembered,? Ansari added.
Generations of listeners were enthralled by Joshi?s mellifluous voice, mastery of rhythm and magnificent renderings of bhajans and khayals.
His rendering of the song “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara” on the theme of national integration is etched in the popular consciousness.
Bhimsen Gururaj Joshi was born in a Kannadiga family on Feb 4, 1922, in Gadag, in Dharwad district of Karnataka.
He was a leading light of the Keriann gharana and had been a household name in India for many decades for his melodious voice.
He enriched the Kirana gharana through his distinctive individual style and adaptation of characteristics from other gharanas to create a unique vocal idiom.
He started an annual classical musical festival called the Sawai Gandharva Music Festival in memory of his guru. This festival is held in Pune every December.
For many decades, Pandit Joshi led the renaissance of Hindustani classical music with his unique style and mastery over ragas. He showed that music knows no linguistic or cultural barriers.
To honour his exceptional musical talents and his success in reviving a sacred classical tradition among the people, the country bestowed its highest national honour, the Bharat Ratna, on him in 2008.
