Classical music titan Bhimsen Joshi passes away in Pune

Pandit Bhimsen Joshi passed away in Pune today. The 88-year-old, who was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2008, was on periodic dialysis following a kidney failure. HT reports. Pay homage | The man, the music

Eminent hindustani classical music vocalist and Bharat ratna pandit Bhimsen Joshi died of old age related ailments, on Monday morning, according to doctors treating him.

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The 89-year-old renowned Khayal singer was suffering from kidney problems and was in hospital since December 31.

“Pandit Joshi succumbed to his illness at 8.05 am,” said Atul Joshi, Sahyadri Hospitals, where vocalist was taking treatment. Since last week health condition of pt. Joshi, who was to turn 89 on February 4, began deteriorating.

The 88-year old Hindustani classical exponent was on ventilator and underwent periodic dialysis during the past 25 days.

The illness coming along with age however was caught on renowned khayal singer. He looked frail. The usual timbre and resonance was missing in the voice though his will power to sing again convinced audience that he will be back, once again with usual boom.

Close family members and relatives were present at his bedside when Pandit Joshi breathed his last.

Pandit Joshi was conferred Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award, in 2008.

A practitioner of the Kirana gharana, Joshi was known for his mellifluous 'khayals' as well as for his popular renditions of devotional 'abhangs' and 'bhajans'.

Joshi's rendition of 'Miley Sur Mera Tumhara' along with other doyens of music--Balmurli Krishna and Lata Mangeshkar -- that virtually became an unofficial national anthem in a humble way in 1988 captured the hearts of millions of Indians. (With IANS input)