Bhimsen Joshi''s condition "stable", taken off ventilator

Pune, Jan 19 (PTI) The condition of Bharat Ratna awardeePandit Bhimsen Joshi continued to be "stable" and he was takenoff the ventilator for over 10 hours at a stretch, hisphysician said today.

The health bulletin for the ailing legendary vocalistissued by ''Sahyadri hospital'' here said, "Health status ofPandit Bhimsen Joshi remained stable and he is able tomaintain his oxygen saturation well without the ventilator formore then ten hours at a stretch."

"He (Joshi) has intermittent eye opening but norecognition as yet. He did not require dialysis in last twodays," it added.

Meanwhile, tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain visited thehospital to enquire about the health of Pandit Joshi.