Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj Passes Away Aged 90

Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj has passed away in New Jersey in the United States. He was among the tallest stalwarts of Indian classical music with a career in music spanning over eight decades. Pandit Jasraj was 90.

Pandit Jasraj had been awarded with Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. He represented the Mewati Gharana and came from a family of percussionists and musicians of repute. Pandit Jasraj's training as a vocalist started during his early teens.

In his message of condolence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter: "...Pandit Jasraj Ji leaves a deep void in the Indian cultural sphere."

Last year, a minor planet was named after Pandit Jasraj. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) named minor planet 2006 VP32 (number -300128) -- which travels between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, as ‘Panditjasraj’.

As one of the senior most artistes in the fraternity, Pandit Jasraj was held in high esteem by fellow musicians and artistes of four generations. He was also known for his deep association with legendary filmmaker and artiste V Shantaram.