Annapurna Devi, Legendary Hindustani Classical Musician, Dies At 91

Legendary musician Annapurna Devi died at Breach Candy hospital in Mumbai on Saturday, hospital officials said. She was 91.

She was declared dead at 3.51 am, they added. 

She was suffering from age related issues for the past few years, a spokesperson of Annapurna Devi Foundation, Mumbai said.

A Padma Bhushan awardee, Annapurna Devi was born in Madhya Pradesh's Maihar town to Ustad 'Baba' Allauddin Khan and Madina Begum. She was the youngest of four children, the spokesperson said.

World renowned maestro, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, was her sibling, the spokesperson added.

Annapurna Devi was a disciple of her father whose inestimable contribution to Indian music resulted in the Senia-Maihar gharana. Her training started early when she was around five years old and she graduated from the sitar to her chosen instrument, the surbahar.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was one of the first politicians to condole her death.

Saddened at the passing away of Annapurna Devi, the founder of Maihar Gharana. My condolences to her family and admirers

- Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) October 13, 2018

President Ram Nath Kovind said her life will always serve as a poignant inspiration for women artistes.

Sorry to hear of the passing of classical musician and surbahar exponent Annapurna Devi. A legatee of her father and guru Baba Allaudin Khan, she was a rare talent and a generous teacher. Her life will always serve as a poignant inspiration for women artistes #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 13, 2018

She was married to sitar maestro Ravi Shankar and had a son, Shubhendra 'Shubho' Shankar, who passed away in 1992. She later married Rooshikumar Pandya, a management consultant, who passed away in 2013.

(with additional inputs from PTI)