‘The santoor is a synonym for Pt Shivkumar Sharmaji’

By Express News Service

The date is April 4, 1992. The Gandharva-like man lifted the santoor on his lap, closed his eyes, bowed to the folks near the dias, took the mallets to his coronary heart, and touched the instrument. The man was the god of santoor, Padma Vibhushan Pt Shivkumar Sharmaji, enjoying the santoor on the competition Lord Viswambara Temple Festival in Kottakkal, Kerala.

I met Guruji when he was being interviewed for a neighborhood information journal. On requesting Guruji for his steering, he checked out me for some time and requested me to satisfy him the subsequent morning. The subsequent day, I began santoor classes with Panditji. What a future for an abnormal music pupil like me; that day modified the that means of my life. “Surrender to music”—these had been his phrases after we parted that morning. After that, I might typically journey to his residence in Mumbai for superior lessons. He sat by follow classes patiently, correcting my errors each fastidiously and lovingly. 

Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma
13.01.1938 – 10.05.2022

The maestro single-handedly lifted the Sufi Instrument of the Kashmir Valley and positioned it on par with different mainstream devices. The santoor grew to become a synonym for Pt Shivkumar Sharmaji.

I fondly bear in mind events when Guruji allowed me to share the stage with him. I witnessed first-hand the magic of ragas and learnt infinitely from him. The technique by which he helped his disciples convey up their very own music aesthetically was magical. He pressured on meditation by music. ‘Music beyond entertainment’ was Guruji’s mantra. Music was for enlightenment. He additionally suggested we preserve our private lives pure to obtain the nectar of godly music.

I obtained my first probability to play a live performance for him whereas celebrating his 72nd birthday in Palakkad, Kerala, on January 13, 2010. The phrases of appreciation he gave me nonetheless reverberate in my thoughts. Such phrases from gurus preserve college students targeted. 

Until the pandemic, Guru Purnima celebrations in Pune had been alternatives to play the santoor for Guruji. His phrases of approval in public and in-person corrections helped his disciples discover path in life. Along with music, Guruji taught us the lifestyle as nicely.

The information of his demise leaves us, his disciples, orphans within the subject of santoor. As music lovers mourn his loss of life, phrases don’t come straightforward. But, what I bear in mind is his recommendation—“If you want to enjoy the bliss of music, surrender to the music”. Guruji has left us the nectar of his music to listen to and be taught from. Through his music, we search the great thing about melodious silence. 

 Santoor artiste Alankode Haridas is a disciple of Pt Shivkumar Sharma

Alankode Haridas 

Maestro no extra
Santoor maestro Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma handed away in Mumbai after a coronary heart assault on the age of 83. Sharma, one in every of India’s most well-known classical musicians who additionally composed some unforgettable numbers for a number of Hindi movies, was additionally affected by renal illnesses. He was nonetheless energetic and was to carry out in Bhopal subsequent week. He is survived by his spouse Manorama and sons Rahul, additionally a santoor participant, and Rohit.