Indian classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj died on Monday following a cardiac arrest at his home in New Jersey, his daughter Durga Jasraj said. He was 90.
One of India's greatest music legends, Pandit Jasraj leaves behind a storied legacy spanning almost eight decades.
Bapuji is no more, his daughter Durga, also a musician, told PTI over phone from Mumbai. She was inconsolable and could not speak any more.
Jasraj, who belonged to the Mewati Gharana, was in the US when the coronavirus-led lockdown happened and decided to stay back in that country.
With profound grief we inform that Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj ji breathed his last this morning at 5.15 EST due to a cardiac arrest at his home in New Jersey, USA, a statement issued by his family said.
“May Lord Krishna welcome him lovingly through the doors of heaven, where Pandit ji will now sing 'Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya' exclusively just for his beloved Lord. We pray that his soul rests in eternal musical peace. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, Pandit Jasraj ji's family, and the students of Mewati Gharana," it said.
Condoling his death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his demise has left a deep void in the Indian cultural sphere. "The unfortunate demise of Pandit Jasraj Ji leaves a deep void in the Indian cultural sphere. Not only were his renditions outstanding, he also made a mark as an exceptional mentor to several other vocalists. Condolences to his family and admirers worldwide. Om Shanti," the prime minister tweeted.
Along with the tweet, Modi also posted old pictures of him felicitating the maestro
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condoled the death, saying his death is a great loss to the music world. "The death of Pandit Jasraj ji is a great loss to the music world. He will always be among us through his immortal singing. Condolences to his family and loved ones," Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said he was an incredible artiste who enriched Indian classical music with his magical voice. "Pandit Jasraj ji was an incredible artist who enriched Indian classical music with his magical voice. His demise feels like a personal loss. He will remain in our hearts forever through his peerless creations. Condolences to his family and followers. Om Shanti," Shah tweeted.
"Saddened to learn about demise of Pandit Jasraj, the master Indian classical vocalist. Over his eight decades-long career, he created timeless masterpieces in Indian classical music," the Vice President Secretariat tweeted quoting Venkaiah Naidu.
"My deep condolence on the sad demise of Pandit Jasraj, the doyen of Indian classical music. He was a true legend. Had first heard him in Patna as a school student. His Bhajan on Maa Durga and Bhawani remains my all time favourite, apart from many other renditions," wrote Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Twitter.
Bollywood director Shekhar Kapur tweeted: “The gentle maestro. The man who first introduced me to the beauty of Indian Classical Vocals. The power of his voice when he sang to his Devi, his Krishna, his Shiva. It was always a moving experience. Yes, #panditjasraj has left us. But his voice is immortal.”
Remembering Pandit Jasraj, singer Asha Bhosle, in a statement, said she is deeply saddened by his demise. “I have lost someone who was extremely fond of me. I have lost a big brother indeed!”
