Santoor legend Shivkumar Sharma passed away at the age of 84 earlier on Tuesday, May 10. The santoor maestro was in Mumbai when he took his last breath. While an official word from his family remains unreleased, reports state that he was suffering from kidney-related issues for the last few months and had been put on dialysis. On Tuesday, May 10, the 84-year-old Padma Shri recipient passed away due to cardiac arrest.
Following his demise, netizens – common and influential – took to Twitter and mourned the loss. Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed that the “culturual world” is now poorer because of Shivkumar Sharma’s demise. “Our cultural world is poorer with the demise of Pandit Shivkumar Sharma Ji. He popularized the Santoor at a global level. His music will continue to enthrall the coming generations. I fondly remember my interactions with him. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti,” PM Modi tweeted.
Shivkumar Sharma has been credited for taking santoor on a global level and making it a popular classical instrument. For his immense contribution, he was felicitated by the Indian government twice, once with Padma Shri and once with Padma Vibhushan.
The Facts of the Matter
On May 10, the Indian music diaspora got a little poorer with the demise of santoor legend Shivkumar Sharma. The man, known for making santoor a mainstream classical instrument, was 84 and took his last breath in Mumbai on May 10.
An official announcement about the cause of demise and funeral arrangements is still unreleased from his family or team. However, according to an Indian Express report, Mr. Sharma had been ailing with kidney related issues for the last six months.
Further, he was also put on dialysis. Reports from media are currently stating that Mr. Sharma passed away due to cardiac arrest.
Also Read: Anand Mahindra Fulfills Promise Yet Again, Gifts House to Idli Amma on Mother’s Day
PM Modi Condoles Death of Shivkumar Sharma
Following his demise, Twitter was flooded with tribute messages from his fans and other highly influential persons. This include PM Narendra Modi who tweeted saying, “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.”
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 (@narendramodi) May 10, 2022
Also Read: Real ‘Baby-Driver’: 4-Year-Old Takes Mom’s Car for Joyride, Police Calls Him “New Max Verstappen”
Twitter Flooded with Tribute Messages for Shivkumar Sharma
Other prominent netizens also broke ranks to condole the death of the santoor maestro.
Pt Shivkumar Sharma passed away today. I was fortunate enough to meet and interview him twice. He was kind enough to speak to a cub reporter in 2008. Selfie was still not in the fashion then. So all I have is this interview and some memorable moments. https://t.co/JMjgZ9FyIu
— Chaitanya Deshpande (@ChaitanyadTOI) May 10, 2022
Condolences on the demise of Santoor maestro Pandit Shivkumar Sharma. Your music will continue to live on and inspire us. Om Shanti pic.twitter.com/2vk1fA8PmC
— Dr Sudhakar K (@mla_sudhakar) May 10, 2022
Revered for his unparalleled prowess of the complex instrument, Santoor maestro Pandit Shivkumar Sharma passes away. India has lost a gem. Om Shanti! pic.twitter.com/frKSIFqSZA
— Priti Gandhi – प्रीति गांधी (@MrsGandhi) May 10, 2022
The day began with the heartbreaking news that Pt. Shivkumar Sharma is no more.
This supremely talented man from Jammu mastered the instrument from Kashmir – the Santoor. Pt. Shivkumar Sharma and the #santoor have been synonyms for each other. pic.twitter.com/GzQrocuxyj
— Kaushal S Inamdar| कौशल इनामदार (@ksinamdar) May 10, 2022
The world of music has lost a genius musician, great visionary, santoor maestro and a wonderful human being —Pt Shivkumar Sharma. It’s an irreparable loss for Hindustani Classical Music. Om Shanti 🙏 pic.twitter.com/y2WJaSKMHw
— Jeet Gannguli (@jeetmusic) May 10, 2022
Deeply saddened and shocked by the sudden demise of Indian music composer #PanditShivKumarSharma! His absence will be deeply felt. May his soul rest in peace. Prayers. 🙏🏻 #ShivkumarSharma pic.twitter.com/9LZI5HNGM5
— Rituparna Sengupta (@RituparnaSpeaks) May 10, 2022
“Music is not for entertainment”: Shivkumar Sharma
About sixty years ago, Santoor was not known all too well outside the scenic valleys of Kashmir. However, after Shivkumar Sharma put his fingers on the instrument, it wasn’t long that he and santoor became synonymous to each other. “According to me, music is not for entertainment. It is the generating force behind the life. The study of Indian classical music is a meditation. It is our heritage. The new generation should strive to preserve it,” he was once quoted saying in an interview.
Also Read: Shehnaaz Gill Honored by Brahma Kumari’s, Delighted Fans Showered Love and Praise on her
The Life and Times of Shivkumar Sharma (1938-2022)
Shivkumar Sharma was born on January 13, 1938 in Jammu and was introduced to the instrument by his father and guru Pandit Uma Dutt Sharma. Over the course of his training, he learnt tabla and also learnt vocals before he chose to give his complete focus to santoor.
In his illustrious career, he ended up collaborating with music maestros from different fields, including Zakir Hussain, Hariprasad Chaurasiya and more. He wasn’t only limited to collaborating and churning out his own albums. He also went on to compose for films such as Darr, Silsila, Lamhe, etc.
For his contribution, he received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Padma Shri award, and the Padma Vibhushan award. His album Call of the Valley received a Platinum Disc and his work for Silsila, Faasle and Chaandni gave him Platinum and Gold Discs respectively.
Follow Us on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Flipboard | Google News