Tribute to Bharat Ratna Pt Bhimsen Joshi.

As a contributor for organising SPIC-MACAY Classical Programme during my student days at Kirori Mal College I had first seen and met Pt Bhimsen Joshi. Anybody who liked music would be his fan.

As the sun of Monday morning dawned, it took away the 'don' of Hindustani classical music, the 89-year old Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, the legendary man who spent his last days fighting the prolonged illness. He breathed his last at Sahyadri Hospital in Pune around 8.05 am. The news of his death has come in as a rude shock to one and all throughout the world.

Readers may recollect that this iconic vocalist was the member of Kirana Gharana and was known for the 'Khayal' form of singing. Born to a father who was a schoolmaster, Panditji, as a child, was deeply moved by a recording of Abdul Karim Khan, who was also the founder father of the 'Kirana Gharana'. Millions of his fans all over the globe, till today, remember his rendition of 'Mile Sur Mera Tumhara' as well as 'Piya Milan Ki Aas', 'Jo Bhaje Hari Ko Sada'. Besides this, Joshiji had also sung for several films including Basant Bahar (1956), Birbal My Brother (1973), Tansen (1958) and Ankahee (1985).

In 2008, Bhimsen Gururaj Joshi was also the proud recipient of Bharat Ratna, considered to be India's highest Civilian honour. Not just that, he was also conferred the 'Natak Akademi Award' (1976) 'Padma Bhushan' (1985), and 'Padma Vibhushan' (1999).

May the soul of this great artist rest in peace.