Singer Bhimsen Joshi dead at 88

Legendary classical singer Bhimsen Joshi passed away in Pune on Monday morning after prolonged illness, a doctor who attended to him said.

Joshi, 88, was the leading exponent of the "khayal" form of singing and his renditions of devotional songs (bhajans and abhangs) mesmerised several generations of Indians through live concerts and albums and even films songs.

He was a recipient of the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian honour, in 2008 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, one of the highest national recognition given to practicing artistes, in 1976.

Joshi was admitted to Sahyadri Hospital on December 31 due to age related illness and was on dialysis and ventilatory support since Saturday.

He suffered intermittent episodes of reduced heart rate and drop in blood pressure.

"This morning he suffered one such incident and despite resuscitation he could not be revived. He passed away at 8:05 am," Dr Atul Joshi told Reuters over phone.

Prominent citizens including Congress party president Sonia Gandhi have condoled his death.