Mumbai: Prominent Santoor player and Padma Vibhushan winner Pandit Sivakumar Sharma, 84, passed away here today. He died of a heart attack.
He was being treated for kidney disease. But was actively involved in musical events. He is scheduled to perform in Bhopal next week.
Born in Jammu in 1938, Sivakumar Sharma is considered to be the first person to perform Indian classical music in Santoor. Pandit Sivakumar made Santoor, a folk musical instrument of Jammu and Kashmir, world-famous.
Flute player Pandit Hariprasad has composed music for many films along with Chaurasia, Silsil, Lamhe, and Chandni are notable films. The country has honored him with the Padma Vibhushan.
Renowned santoor player Rahul Sharma is his son.
