Pandit Shivkumar Sharma no more

The classic music community lost one of its brightest stars today, as santoor maestro Pandit Shivkumar Sharma breathed his last. He was 84 at the time of his death and had been on dialysis for the last six months. The classical musician passed away due to a cardiac arrest.

Sharma gave santoor – traditionally a folk instrument – a place in Indian classical music through his works, and elevated the instrument to the status of sitar and sarod, reports The Economic Times.