Eminent classical singer Pandit Vijay Kumar Kichlu passed away at a private hospital in south Kolkata on Friday evening after suffering a heart attack, the hospital authorities said in a statement. He was 93.
An exponent of the Agra Gharana, Padma Shri awardee Pundit Kichlu had a history of several comorbidities, including ischemic heart disease and pneumonia.
Born in Almora (now in Uttarakhand) in 1930, Pandit Kichlu held a Master’s degree from the University of Allahabad.
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Ustad Faiyaz Khan, a stalwart of the Agra Gharana, influenced him. A recipient of the Sangit Natak Akademi award Pandit Kilchu was a disciple of Ustad Moinuddin Dagar and Ustad Aminuddin Dagar, popularly known as the Dagar brothers. He also took lessons from Ustad Latafat Hussain Khan.
A job with a British shipping company brought the vocalist to Kolkata in the mid-1950s which became his home for life.
Although he never took up music as a profession, Pandit Kichlu helped ITC set up the Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata and also led the formation of the Kolkata Music Circle.
{{/usCountry}}Although he never took up music as a profession, Pandit Kichlu helped ITC set up the Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata and also led the formation of the Kolkata Music Circle.
{{/usCountry}}West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her condolence on Friday night.
“Passing away of the stalwart is an irreparable loss,” she said in a statement.