Mumbai(PTI): Veteran santoor player and music composer Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma died here on Tuesday morning following a heart attack, family sources said. He was 84.

Sharma, one of India's most well known classical musicians, was due to perform in Bhopal next week. He was also suffering from renal ailments.

"He had a severe heart attack at around 9 am... He was active and was to perform in Bhopal next week. He was on regular dialysis but was still was active," the family source told PTI.

A Padma Vibhushan recipient, Sharma was born in Jammu in 1938 and is believed to be the first musician to have played Indian classical music on the santoor, a folk instrument from Jammu and Kashmir.

As one half of musician duo Shiv-Hari, he composed music with flute legend Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia for an array of films such as "Silsila", "Lamhe" and "Chandni".

His son Rahul Sharma is also a santoor player.

"The passing away of Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharmaji marks the end of an era. He was the pioneer of Santoor and his contribution is unparalleled. For me, it's a personal loss and I will miss him no end. May his soul rest in peace. His music lives on forever! Om Shanti," sarod player Amjad Ali Khan tweeted.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Thane: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has strongly criticised Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant for his comment referring to Shaina NC as "imported maal." Shinde asserted that if Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray were alive, he "would have broken his mouth" for making such a remark. Calling Sawant's statement "unfortunate," Shinde condemned the disrespect toward women, saying, "Speaking ill of a woman is highly condemnable, and no amount of criticism is enough."

Shinde expressed that the women of Maharashtra would ensure Sawant faces consequences in the upcoming elections, highlighting that such remarks reveal the character of those making them. Following Shaina NC’s complaint, a case has been registered at Nagpada Police Station, listing charges related to defamation and outraging the modesty of a woman.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also criticised Sawant’s remarks, affirming that derogatory comments against women have no place in society and contradict Maharashtra's values of respect and dignity.

In response, Sawant clarified that he did not directly mention Shaina’s name and claimed his remarks were misinterpreted. The Maharashtra Assembly elections are set for November 20, with vote counting on November 23.