Santoor maestro Bhajan Sopori passed away on Thursday (June 2) at the age of 73 following a battle with colon cancer. He was admitted in Gurugram's private hospital. "He was diagnosed with colon cancer last year in June. We admitted him to Fortis, Gurugram, three weeks back for immunotherapy treatment. It didn't work for him and his health deteriorated," his son Abhay told PTI.
The last rites will be held at the Lodhi Road crematorium on Friday.
Sopori is survived by his wife and two sons Sorabh and Abhay, who also plays santoor.
Sopori, a performer, composer, musicologist, teacher, writer and poet, received multiple awards through his career, including the Padma Shri in 2004, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1992 and the Jammu and Kashmir State Lifetime Achievement Award, Sopori learnt western classical music from Washington University and Hindustani music from his father and grandfather.
Pandit Bhajan Sopori is hailed as the 'Saint of the Santoor' and the 'King of Strings'.
