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An Indian vocalist in the Hindustani classical traditionBhimsen Joshi (Pandit Bhimsen Gururaj Joshi) died in a Pune hospital Monday, after a prolonged illness. He was 89.

Pandit Bhimsen Gururaj Joshi (February 4, 1922 – January 24, 2011) was an Indian vocalist in the Hindustani classical tradition. A member of the Kirana Gharana (school), he is renowned for the khayal form ofsinging, as well as for his popular renditions of devotionalmusic (bhajans and abhangs). He is the most recent recipient of the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, awarded in 2008

Pandit Bhimsen Joshi’s foundation to the lifelong connection to the city of Pune was laid when he first performed in the city in 1941. Thereafter, he performed in 1946, on the occasion of the 60th birth anniversary of his guru, Rambhau Kundgolkar, known as Sawai Gandharva.

The reason why the maestro chose Pune perhaps lies in the love of music ingrained in its people. “He perhaps needed a canvas bigger than Dharwad, which he found in Pune,” remarks music critic Deepak Raja.

“The patronage that he got in Pune was unmatched anywhere else at that time,” says Ramakant Joshi, Bhimsen Joshi’s cousin.

Belonging to Gadag in Karnataka’s Dharwad district, Bhimsen Joshi shared his guru Rambhau Kundgolkar with another legend, Gangubai Hangal. Gangubai’s grandson, Manoj Hangal, who was in Pune, told The Hindu: “He came to Pune looking for a culturally rich life, and a city that would understand and respect his art.”

Raising another issue, Mr. Hangal said: “Both Gangubai and Bhimsen have proven that music grows beyond borders. Even during the troubled times of the Belgaum dispute and much hostility between the two States, their music brought people together.”

Commenting about the fluid nature of music, he asked, “How else can you explain the son of Karnataka being honoured in Maharashtra?”

Eventually, it was in Pune that the legendary singer decided to organise the ‘Sawai Gandharva Festival’ annually, which draws connoisseurs of Hindustani classical music.