Kolkata, India – Several Indian news sources reported the death of renowned violinist and Padma Bhushan awardee, V.G. Jog.
He died in Kolkata on Saturday, January 31st, after a prolonged
illness. He was 89. Jog is survived by wife, a son and two daughters.
Family sources said Jog was suffering from respiratory problems for the past few years.
Born in Maharashtra in 1922, he studied with Sri Shankar Rao Athavela, Ganapat Rao Purohit, and the great master Allauddin Khan.
Since 1999, Pandit Jog had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease. The disease had not only crippled the elderly maestro by taking away the violin away from his hands, but was also draining away all his resources. Without music, his only source of income, the high cost of medical care became an unbearable burden for the Jog family. Moreover, the untimely death of his son added a blow to the ailing artist and his
family. In recent years, several benefit concerts were held to provide
him and his family with urgently needed financial assistance.
Besides the Padma Bhushan, Jog also received the Sangeet Natak Akademi award, West Bengal government’s Rajya Natak award, the Kalidas Samman, the Bhuwalka Puraskar and the Hafiz Ali Khan award.
Jog had a long association with the All India Radio’s Kolkata center
as music composer and producer, besides being member of the AIR’s
audition board.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.