Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded composer Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, who has died in Mumbai aged 84, for expanding the global influence of the santoor, a 100-stringed trapezoidal dulcimer. Photo by Prodip Guha/Getty Images
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded composer Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, who has died in Mumbai aged 84, for expanding the global influence of the santoor, a 100-stringed trapezoidal dulcimer. Photo by Prodip Guha/Getty Images
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded composer Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, who has died in Mumbai aged 84, for expanding the global influence of the santoor, a 100-stringed trapezoidal dulcimer. Photo by Prodip Guha/Getty Images
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded composer Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, who has died in Mumbai aged 84, for expanding the global influence of the santoor, a 100-stringed trapezoidal dulcimer. Pho

Pandit Shivkumar Sharma: celebrated Indian composer dies aged 84


Razmig Bedirian
  • English
  • Arabic

Indian composer Pandit Shivkumar Sharma has died aged 84.

The famous santoor player died from a cardiac arrest in Mumbai after suffering from kidney-related ailments for the past six months.

One of India’s most celebrated classical musicians, Sharma was scheduled to perform in Bhopal next week.

"He had a severe heart attack at around 9am. He was active and was to perform in Bhopal next week. He was on regular dialysis but was still was active," a family member told the Press Trust of India on Tuesday.

Tributes for the Walking in the Rain composer began pouring in on social media soon after news of his death broke.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Sharma for expanding the global influence of the santoor, a 100-stringed trapezoidal dulcimer, and putting it on par with other classical Indian instruments such as the sitar and sarod.

“Our cultural world is poorer with the demise of Pandit Shivkumar Sharma Ji. He popularised the Santoor at a global level,” Modi wrote on Twitter. “His music will continue to enthral the coming generations. I fondly remember my interactions with him. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.”

Born in Jammu in 1938, Sharma is credited as being the first musician to play Indian classical music on the santoor.

He collaborated with various luminaries of Indian classical music, including flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia and guitarist Brij Bhushan Kabra, with whom he produced the 1967 concept album Call of the Valley.

Sharma also composed music for several Hindi films, including Faasle (1985) and Lamhe (1991).

"The passing away of Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharmaji marks the end of an era,” sarod player, Amjad Ali Khan, wrote on Twitter.

“He was the pioneer of Santoor and his contribution is unparalleled. For me, it’s a personal loss and I will miss him no end. May his soul rest in peace. His music lives on forever! Om Shanti."

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Founder: Omar Onsi

Launched: 2018

Employees: 35

Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)

Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

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Power: 290hp

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Nissan 370z Nismo

Engine: 3.7-litre V6

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THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS

Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.

Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.

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The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
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  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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The alternatives

• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.

• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.

• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.

2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.

• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases -  but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.

UAE’s revised Cricket World Cup League Two schedule

August, 2021: Host - United States; Teams - UAE, United States and Scotland

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December, 2021: Host - UAE; Teams - UAE, Namibia, Oman

February, 2022: Hosts - Nepal; Teams - UAE, Nepal, PNG

June, 2022: Hosts - Scotland; Teams - UAE, United States, Scotland

September, 2022: Hosts - PNG; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal

February, 2023: Hosts - UAE; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal

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The Lowdown

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Director: Jordan Peele

Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseqph, Evan Alex and Elisabeth Moss

Rating: 4/5

Updated: May 10, 2022, 9:21 AM