Posted by Noted Santoor player Pandit Shivkumar Sharma passed away due to cardiac arrest. He was born in Jammu to Pandit Uma Dutt Sharma. Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma recognized the Santoor as a musical instrument in the world including in Jammu and Kashmir.
Indian musician and santoor player Pandit Shivkumar Sharma passed away due to cardiac arrest. He breathed his last in Mumbai. He was 84 years old. He was suffering from kidney-related problems for the last six months and was on dialysis. He was born on 13 January 1938 in Jammu to Pandit Uma Dutt Sharma.
In an interview in 1999, he had said that his father started teaching him tabla and singing from the age of five. His father researched the santoor instrument and wanted to see Shivakumar playing Indian classical music on the santoor. Shiv Kumar Sharma started playing santoor at the age of 13. Later, he also fulfilled his father’s dream. Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma recognized the Santoor as a musical instrument in Jammu and Kashmir. His first program was held in Mumbai in 1955.
After this, he made it famous not only in the country but also all over the world. Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma was instrumental in taking Hindustani classical music to new heights. Pandit Shiv Kumar also made a significant contribution to the world of cinema. The duo of Shiv Kumar Sharma and Hariprasad Chaurasia, popularly known as ‘Shiv-Hari’ in Bollywood, had composed music for many super hit songs. The most famous of these was ‘nine bangles in my hands’ from the film ‘Chandni’, which was filmed by the late actress Sridevi.
He left home and reached Mumbai with the Santoor.
Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma revealed during another interview that later his father wanted him to work in All India Radio in Jammu or Srinagar. The father wanted his son to secure a future through a government job, but Panditji had set his goal. With this, he left home and came to Mumbai with santoor and just Rs 500 in his pocket and started the struggle.
National and International Honours
Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma received several national and international honors and awards. He received the honorary citizenship of Baltimore, United States, in 1985. He was also decorated with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1986, the Padma Shri in 1991, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2001.
Prime Minister, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and other leaders pay tributes
On the passing away of Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, prime minister Narendra Modi, Jammu, and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and other veteran leaders of the country paid tributes to him while remembering him. The Lt Governor said, “The demise of Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma has created a vacuum in Indian classical music, which will be difficult to fill. Panditji was the most famous exponent of the Santoor, who enthralled the music lovers with his outstanding performances. Condolences to his family and fans.