Music exponents call Bhimsen Joshi a Tansen, Kohinoor

Mumbai, Jan 24 (PTI) A shocked Indian music fraternitytoday mourned the death of legendary vocalist Pandit BhimsenJoshi hailing him as a modern day Tansen and a ''Kohinoor'' ofHindustani classical music who strode like a colossus.

As condolences poured from celebrity musicians andsingers on the passing away of Pandit Joshi early thismorning, noted Hindustani classical singer Pandit Jasraj said"this is sunset at sunrise." Many of them said an era inIndian classical music has come to an end leaving manyorphaned.

"He did not belong to any particular gharana, but tothe entire Hindustani music world. Joshi had held music loversspellbound over the last several decades," Jasraj said.

Santoor maestro Pandit Satish Vyas described Joshi asthe "Kohinoor" of Indian classical music.

"Classical music was meant for a particular class. ButPanditji crossed such barriers and brought the music closerto the common man. The intelligentsia and also the laymanapplauded his music and this was one of his greatestcontributions," he said.

Bhajan and Ghazal singer Anup Jalota called Joshi amodern day Tansen in Indian music comparing him to thelegendary musician in Mughal Emperor Akbar''s court in the 16thcentury. "The Indian music scene has been orphaned," he said.

Carnatic vocalist M Balamuralikrishna with whom Joshihad sung several ''jugalbandis'' said his death was an"absolutely irreparable loss." "It is a great loss forIndian music not just for Hindustani music."

"He was a person who sang Indian music, not justHindustani music," Balamuralikrishna said. Unable to bear theloss, Balamuralikrishna with voice choked in emotion said "Heis already there, singing to the gods".

Singers Suresh Wadkar and Arti Ankliker-Tikekar saidthe void will be difficult to fill.

Begum Parveen Sultana said, "He was like an elderbrother to me. He was the person who introduced us toMaharashtra".

Vocalist Shounak Abhisheki said Joshi was the"Bhishmpitamah" of Hindustani classical music.

"He has an immortal place in this field and heachieved this position due to his devotion, dedication andcommitment to music," he said.

Abhisheki said Pandjitji was both a great human beingand a musician. "His life is an inspiration to new generationof musicians like me and following the path laid down by himwould be the greatest tribute."

Renowned filmmaker Shyam Benegal described PanditJoshi as the "finest Indian classical artist of hisgeneration".