Iconic Hindustani vocalist Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, honoured by the nation with the Bharat Ratna and considered a legend in his own lifetime, passed away following a long illness at a private hospital in Pune at 8.05 am on Monday. He was 88 and leaves behind three sons and a daughter.
Joshi, the most-celebrated exponent of the Kirana Gharana of Khansahib Abdul Karim Khan, had been admitted to the hospital on December 31, 2010, and kept on the ventilator. He had undergone periodic dialysis after he developed complications like respiratory disorder and intestine and kidney-related problems. His body was kept at his residence, Kalashri, from the morning, where well-wishers gathered in huge numbers to pay tribute. His last journey began from there and ended at the Vaikunth electric crematorium.
Joshi’s remains were consigned to the flames with full state honours at 4.40 pm, with son Raghavendra doing the last rites. A ceremonial gun salute was also fired.
External affairs minister S.M. Krishna and the chief ministers of Maharashtra and Karnataka, Prithviraj Chavanand B.S. Yeddyurappa, were among those in attendance. “We have lost one of the greatest musicians ever born,” Mr Krishna said.
Joshi’s celebrated bhajans and songs were sung at the crematorium, with chants of Mile Sur Mera Tumhara too reverberating in the air.
President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh led the nation in paying tribute. “It is a national loss,” Dr Singh said in a condolence message to the family. “Millions of music lovers all over the world enjoyed and will continue to enjoy his genius.”
Hindustani classical singer Pandit Jasraj said he was shocked and saddened at the news in the early morning hours. “This is sunset at sunrise,” he said. Santoor maestro Pandit Shivkumar Sharma said four generations of music lovers had heard Bhimsen Joshi’s music. “He was like a colossus. My association with him goes back to half a century. I have so many sweet memories of our travel and performance together.”