Indian classical music legend and Padma Vibhushan awardee Pandit Jasraj passed away at the age of 90 due to cardiac arrest on Monday. He was living in New Jersey, state of United States. He breathed his last in the US, said his daughter Durga Jasraj as quoted by PTI.
He belonged to Mewati Gharana, with his musical career has spanned for more than 80 years and led to numerous major awards. The music legend was honoured with the awards like Padma Shri in 1975, the Padma Bhushan in 1990 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2000. Last year, a minor planet,2006 VP32 (number -300128) was named as ‘Panditjasraj’ by International Astronomical Union (IAU) to pay a tribute to the doyen of Indian classical music.
Jasraj was one of the India’s greatest classical music legend as his was taken in the league of Bhim Sen Joshi, Ustad Amir Khan, Pandit Vasant Rao Deshpande. Not only for his classical music, he was also knows for his Bhajans. Pandit Jasraj devotionals songs that are listened across the country includes Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevay, Jagdamb Jagdamb,Govind Damodar and more.
Mastero Jasraj was born on 28th January, 1930 in Hisar district of Haryana, he took initial training in music from his father Pandit Motiram. After the demise of his father, he was trained by Maniram and Pandit Pratap Narayan, his brother. Jasraj was also a trained tabla player. His first live concert performance was at the age of 22. In 1946, he went back to Kolkata from where he started playing Tabla and also performed at All India Radio. Though, he was not happy with the kind of treatment meted out to the Tabla artistes in the music industry.
In memory of his father, Since 1972, Pandit Jasraj organised a musical festival every year called Pandit Motiram Pandit Maniram Sangeet Samaroh in Hyderabad.Every year in Hyderabad, a musical festival called Pandit Motiram Pandit Maniram Sangeet Samaroh is organised since 1972 by started by Pandit Jasraj in memory of his father.
While, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to express his condolence on the demise of Indian classical singer.
“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 PM tweeted.
