Pandit Bhimsen Joshi dies in Pune

Pune: Legendary classical singer Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, a true music maestro breathed his last on Monday.

Veteran vocalist and Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi died at 8 am on Monday in Pune's Sahyandri Hospital at the age of 89 years.

A musical marvel, who lifted the listeners to a divine experience with his singing, Pandit Joshi was born in the town of Gadag in the northern part of Karnataka on Februray 4, 1922.

Under training of Pandit Sawai Gandharva of Kirana Gharana, Pandit Joshi moved to Mumbai in 1943 and worked as a Radio Artist. His first live performance coming at the age of 19 and his debut album on devotional songs in Kannada and Hindi making waves at the age of 22.

Bhimsen's music has been hailed by both the critics and the masses with his performances marked by by spontaneity and accurate notes, but his specialisation came in for ragas most popularly Shuddha Kalyan, Miyan Ki Todi and Darbari raga.

But the newer generation remembers Pandit Joshi more popularly for his much hyped rendition on Mile Sur Mera Tumhara music video.

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

Truly a divine miracle, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi's demise is simply irreplaceable.

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