The voice of Pt Bhimsen Joshi fades away

Pune, Jan 24: Pandit Bhimsen Joshi is more than a classical singer for Indians across the world. He stimulated the feeling of patriotism with his soulful rendering of

and became the cultural icon of Hindustani classical music.

The voice has slipped away from us forever on Monday, Jan 24 and will be a lingering memory in our minds. A loss to music lovers across the globe, he immortalized pure,unadulterated music in its full glory and elan. A committed singer who understood the subtle nuances of raag and alap; he made the Kirana Gharana proud with his powerful renditions.

Pandit Joshi's amazing prowess to marry the rule-bound raagas with his self-developed creativity earned him a a lot of praise. His most popular raagas include Shuddha Kalyan, Miyan Ki Todi, Puriya Dhanashri, Multani, Bhimpalas, Darbari and Ramkali.

His live concerts was a celebration of music and beyond, and had the capability to uplift one to a plane of instant nirvana. Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was a well-deserved recipient of the Bharat Ratna that was bestowed by the Indian government on him in 2008. He has also lend his voice to many bhajans in Kannada, Hindi and Marathi invoking spiritualism into a whole generation. He has tried his hand in singing for movies like Basant Bahar (1956), Birbal by Brother (1973) and Ankahee (1985).

Watch: Pandit Bhimsen Joshi's rendition of Mile Sur Mera Tumhara

He succumbed to illness on Monday, Jan 24 at a Pune hospital and is survived by two sons and two daughters from his first marriage and two sons and one daughter from the second.

The frail man with the tanpura will be a memory and will be treasured in the Kingdom of Gods with his above-the-world sur. May his soul rest in peace.

OneIndia News