Santoor maestro Padma Vibhushan Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma passed away from a cardiac arrest today at his residence in Mumbai. He was 84.
Pandit Shivkumar Sharma is credited with adapting the santoor for Indian classical music. As a music composer he collaborated with flutist Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia under the collaborative name Shiv-Hari and composed music for many films.
Pt. Sharma was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1986, the Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian award in 1991, and the Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian award in 2001.
President of India, Prime Minister and many musicians and music lovers expressed their sorrow on Pt. Sharma’s demise.
Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma’s recitals would leave connoisseurs of Indian classical music spellbound. He popularized Santoor, the traditional musical instrument from J&K. Sad to learn that his Santoor is now silenced. Condolences to his family, friends and countless fans everywhere.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) May 10, 2022
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
