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Regular-article-logo Saturday, 23 November 2024

Pandit Jasraj dies in the US at 90

Legendary vocalist suffered a cardiac arrest in New Jersey

Agencies New Delhi Published 17.08.20, 07:35 PM
One of India's greatest music legends, Pandit Jasraj leaves behind a storied legacy spanning almost eight decades

One of India's greatest music legends, Pandit Jasraj leaves behind a storied legacy spanning almost eight decades Twitter/@HarsimratBadal_

Indian classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj died on Monday following a cardiac arrest at his home in New Jersey, his daughter Durga Jasraj said. He was 90.

One of India's greatest music legends, Pandit Jasraj leaves behind a storied legacy spanning almost eight decades.

Bapuji is no more, his daughter Durga, also a musician, told PTI over phone from Mumbai. She was inconsolable and could not speak any more.

Jasraj, who belonged to the Mewati Gharana, was in the US when the coronavirus-led lockdown happened and decided to stay back in that country.

“With profound grief we inform that Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj ji breathed his last this morning at 5.15 EST due to a cardiac arrest at his home in New Jersey, USA,” a statement issued by his family said here.

“May Lord Krishna welcome him lovingly through the doors of heaven, where Pandit ji will now sing Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya exclusively just for his beloved Lord. We pray that his soul rests in eternal musical peace. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, Pandit Jasraj ji's family, and the students of Mewati Gharana," it said.

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Condoling the death of Pandit Jasraj, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that his demise had left a deep void in the Indian cultural sphere.

"The unfortunate demise of Pandit Jasraj Ji leaves a deep void in the Indian cultural sphere. Not only were his renditions outstanding, he also made a mark as an exceptional mentor to several other vocalists. Condolences to his family and admirers worldwide. Om Shanti," the Prime Minister tweeted.

Along with the tweet, Modi also posted old pictures of him felicitating the maestro.

With a musical career spanning almost 80 years, the doyen of Indian classical vocal music was a recipient of various prestigious awards and honours including Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. He represented the last of a generation of classical vocalists, which includes 83-year-old Kishori Amonkar, the doyenne of the Jaipur Atrauli gharana, reported IndianExpress.com.

In September last year, a minor planet which traverses the cosmos between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter was named after him by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). The 2006 VP32 (number -300128) , discovered on November 11, 2006, was named ‘Panditjasraj’, where the doyen of Indian classical music will be ever immortalised.

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