Bharat Ratna Bhimsen Joshi passes away

Pune, Jan 24 (ANI): Veteran vocalist and Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi passed away this morning at Pune's Sahyandri Hospital after a prolonged illness. He was 89.

Pandit Joshi was admitted to the hospital following renal and respiratory complications on December 31 last year.

He is survived by three sons and a daughter

A music marvel, who lifted listeners to a divine experience with his singing, Pandit Joshi was born in Gadag, Karnataka, on February 4, 1922.

His first live performance took palce at the age of 19 and his debut album on devotional songs in Kannada and Hindi made waves at the age of 22.

Apart from classical music, Joshi sang for several films - like Basant Bahar with Manna Dey and Birbal My Brother with Pandit Jasraj, Tansen and Ankahee.

He was honoured with the country's highest civilian awards like the Padma Shree, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Maharashtra Bhushan, Karnataka Ratna and Bharat Ratna. (ANI)