One app for all your study abroad needs
Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma who was born on 13 January 1938, was an Indian classical musician and santoor player who is credited with adapting the santoor for Indian classical music. He created music for many hit films in the Bollywood industry such as Faasle (1985), Chandni (1989), and Lamhe (1991) while collaborating with Indian flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia under the collaborative name Shiv–Hari. Let’s know more about him through this article.
Table of Contents
| About Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma | |
| Name | Pandit Shiv kumar Sharma |
| Born | 13 January 1938 |
| Died | 10 May 2022 (aged 84) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Genres | Hindustani classical music |
| Occupations | Musician, composer |
| Instruments | Santoor, tabla |
| Years active | 1955–2022 |
Biography of Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma Musician
Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma musician was born on January 13, 1938, in Jammu. He began his musical journey at a young age. Over the years, Sharma became a prominent figure in Indian classical music, creating numerous acclaimed albums and earning prestigious awards for his contributions. Below you will get to know him better with information about his early life, career, awards and personal life.
Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma – Early Life
- Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma was born in 1938 on the 13th of January, Jammu Indian.
- At the starting age of 5, he used to learn vocals from his father. His father was also a very good vocalist and tabla player named Uma Dutt Sharma.
- He was introduced to Santoor by his father and at the age of 13 he started learning it. He gave his first public performance in Mumbai in 1955.
- At his first live performance in 1955, Sharma played a one-hour rendition of Raga Yaman that left the Mumbai audience shouting “Encore!”
About Personal Life of Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma
- Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma was married to Manorama and had two sons, Rohit and Rahul. In a 1999 interview, he said that he chose Rahul as his student because he believed Rahul had a special talent.
- He passed away in 2022 on 10 May at the age of 84 due to cardiac arrest. He had been suffering from kidney failure and underwent regular dialysis.
- On May 11, 2022, he received a state funeral in Mumbai.
Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma Instrument and Career
- Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma’s career started with learning vocals at the very young age of 5 from his father.
- He was introduced to Santoor through his father then at the age of 13 he started to learn to play Santoor.
- Gave first performance in 1955, in Mumbai and recorded his first solo album in 1960, helping to popularise the santoor.
- He created a hit album in 1967 called Call of the Valley with Chaurasia and guitarist Brij Bhushan Kabra, which is considered one of the greatest in Indian classical music.
- His first concert abroad was in Los Angeles in 1968, followed by a tour in England in 1970.
- Sharma received several prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri (1991) and Padma Bhushan (2001), recognising his contributions to music.
Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma Awards
Pandit Shiv Kumar has received many national and international awards. Here is the list of all the awards that he received –
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award – 1986
- Padma Shri – 1991
- Padma Vibhushan – 2001
Other Notable Awards
- Platinum Disc for the music of the film Silsila
- Platinum Disc for Call of the Valley
- Gold Disc for the music of the film Faasle.
- Platinum Disc for the music of the film Chandni.
- Pandit Chatur Lal Excellence Award – 2015
Famous Albums of Shiv Kumar Sharma
Pandit Shiv Kumar, an iconic figure in Indian classical music, significantly contributed to the evolution of the santoor, transforming it into a prestigious instrument within the genre and launched several albums as listed below –
| Shiv Kumar Sharma Albums | |
| Year | Title |
| 1964 | Santoor & Guitar with Brij Bhushan Kabra |
| 1967 | Shiv Kumar Sharma (re-released in 2005 as “First LP Record of Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma”) |
| 1967 | Call of the Valley with Brij Bhushan Kabra and Hariprasad Chaurasia |
| 1982 | When Time Stood Still! With Zakir Hussain |
| 1987 | Rag Madhuvanti & Rag Misra Tilang with Zakir Hussain |
| 1988 | Hypnotic Santoor |
| 1991 | Maestro’s Choice, Series One |
| A Sublime Trance | |
| The Glory of Strings | |
| 1993 | Rag Rageshri with Zakir Hussain |
| Raga Bhopali Vol I | |
| Raga Kedari vol II | |
| Varshā – A Homage to the Rain Gods | |
| 1994 | Sound Scapes, Music of the Mountains |
| Hundred Strings of Santoor | |
| The Pioneer of Santoor | |
| Raga Kedari Vol II | |
| A Morning Raga Gurjari Todi | |
| Feelings1996 | |
| 1999 | Sampradaya |
| 2001 | Saturday Night in Bombay – Remember Shakti with John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain, and many other musicians. Composed Shringar |
| 2000 | Ananda Bliss with Zakir Hussain |
| The Flow of Time with Zakir Hussain | |
| Sangeet Sartaj | |
| 2003 | Vibrant Music for Reiki |
| 2004 | Sympatico (Charukeshi – Santoor) |
| The Inner Path (Kirvani – Santoor | |
| Essential Evening Chants with Hariprasad Chaurasia | |
Bonus – 10 Lines on Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma
If in case you are going to present 10 lines on Pandit Shiv Kumar in an assembly, here are a few suggestions for you:-
| 1. Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma was a famous Indian musician known for playing the santoor, a beautiful string instrument. 2. He was born on January 13, 1938, in Jammu, India, and started learning music when he was just five years old. 3. He learned vocals from his father. 4. In 1955 he gave his first big performance. 5. He composed music for many hit Bollywood movies like “Chandni” and “Lamhe.” 6. He received many awards for his amazing work, including the Padma Shri and Padma Vibhushan. 7. People all over the world enjoy listening to Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma’s music. 8. He taught his son Rahul to play the santoor. 9. Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma made many albums with his friend Hariprasad Chaurasia. 10. He was known for making beautiful sounds that made people feel happy and relaxed. |
FAQs
Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma is associated with the santoor, a hammered dulcimer that is a traditional instrument from the Kashmir region of India.
Here is an overview of Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma’s family –
1. Father – Uma Dutt Sharma
2. Wife – Manorama Sharma
3. Sons – Rohit and Rahul
The best santoor player in India is Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma.
Relevant Reads
This was all about Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma. If you want to know more about other Famous Personalities then visit our General Knowledge page!