Legendary musician and santoor player Pandit Shivkumar Sharma passed away due to a cardiac arrest on May 10. He was 84.

Over the past two years, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma hardly stepped out of his residence. However, he was occasionally spotted at events. Pandit Shivkumar Sharma was suffering from kidney-related ailments for the past six months. He was undergoing dialysis as well. His funeral will be held today evening.

Born in Jammu, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma began learning santoor at the age of thirteen. His first public performance was in Mumbai in 1955. He has been credited with popularising the santoor.

Also, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma composed the background music for one of the scenes in the 1956 film Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje. Four years later, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma recorded his first solo album.

Pandit Shivkumar Sharma collaborated with flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia and guitarist Brij Bhushan Kabra in 1967, and together, they produced the acclaimed concept album Call of the Valley.

With Hariprasad Chaurasia, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma composed music for several Hindi films, including Silsila, Chandni as well as Darr.

Pandit Shivkumar Sharma received the prestigious Padma Shri in 1991, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2001.