Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, one half of the composer duo Shiv-Hari, died of a cardiac arrest this morning in Mumbai.
According to The Indian Express newspaper, the 84-year-old santoor maestro had been suffering from kidney-related issues for the past six months and was on dialysis.
A source from the family told the news agency Press Trust of India, “He was to perform in Bhopal next week. He was on regular dialysis but was still active.”
Born on 13 January 1938 in Jammu, Sharma began playing the tabla at five and picked up the santoor at 13 at his father's behest. He would go on to elevate the instrument and give it a higher stature in the world of classical Indian music.
Sharma’s relationship with cinema happened under film music composer Vasant Desai’s tutelage as he put together the background score of V Shantaram’s Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje (1955). He also played the tabla for SD Burman for the song 'Saiyaan Beimaan' in Guide (1966).
Along with flautist Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, he crafted memorable scores for Yash Chopra films such as Silsila (1981), Chandni (1989), Lamhe (1991) and Darr (1993).
Sharma won the Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 1986 and was awarded the Padma Shri in 1991 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2001.
His son Rahul is also a santoor player and composer.
Condolences poured in for the doyen from around the country.
Sad to know about the demise of Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, eminent Santoor player and internationally celebrated Indian music composer. His departure impoverishes our cultural world. My deepest condolences.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 10, 2022
One of the greatest musicians of our times - Padma Vibhushan Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma departs for his heavenly journey 🙏🙏
— salim merchant (@salim_merchant) May 10, 2022
My condolences to his family🙏
ॐ शांति
We have lost a gem today Padma Vibhushan Shri Shiv Kumar Sharma ji Santoor virtuoso a big loss to the Indian classical music
— Pankaj Udhas (@Pankajkudhas) May 10, 2022
May his soul rest in eternal peace
Om Shanti 🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/RO72PJVfeC
Were it not for Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, who passed away today, many of us would not have known that a musical instrument named santoor existed. Not many musicians become the identity for the instrument they play. Pandit Shiv Kumar was among that rare breed.
— K Balakumar (@kbalakumar) May 10, 2022
The passing away of Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharmaji marks the end of an era. He was the pioneer of Santoor and his contribution is unparalleled. For me, it’s a personal loss and I will miss him no end. May his soul rest in peace. His music lives on forever! Om Shanti 🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/GcLSF0lSh2
— Amjad Ali Khan (@AAKSarod) May 10, 2022