Indian santoor virtuoso and composer Shiv Kumar Sharma died on May 10, 2022, in Mumbai, India of a heart attack.
Sharma was the leading performer and innovator of the santoor (also known as santur), a hammered dulcimer from Kashmir used in traditional and Indian classical music.
Sharma had a long partnership with flute player Hariprasad Chaurasia. The duo performed, recorded and composed Indian classical and Bollywood music.
The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi tweeted this tribute: “Our cultural world is poorer with the demise of Pandit Shivkumar Sharma Ji. He popularised the Santoor at a global level. His music will continue to enthral the coming generations. I fondly remember my interactions with him. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.”
Bob Haddad, founder of influential record label Music of the World and producer of santoor albums said about Sharma: “The greatest santur player in the world“.
Music and arts journalist Yatrika Mariam Shah-Rais (KPFK 90.7 FM radio, World On A Note and the Transglobal World Music Chart) said: “We presented him in concert with his son Rahul some years ago. Not only was he a consummate master, but a modest and gentle human being.”
Kutay Derin Kugay, producer and host at Acik Radyo 94.9FM, Music of the World Istanbul and also member of the and Transglobal World Music Chart, stated: “Loss of a truly grand master is very sad. We presented him at the San Francisco World Music Festival in 2003. He was one of the finest Musicians I worked with.”
Shiv Kumar Sharma is survived by his wife Manorama Sharma and his son Rahul Sharma.
Read more about Shiv Kumar Sharma’s career.
(headline image: Shiv Kumar Sharma and his son Rahul Sharma, courtesy of Real World Records)
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.