Narayan, who is widely credited with elevating the status of the humble sarangi as a concert solo instrument in Hindustani classical music, died at his Mumbai residence on Saturday. He was 96 years old.

The Padma Vibhushan awardee, who played the bowed instrument in several classic Hindi films including “Mughal-e-Azam”, “Madhumati”, “Pakeezah”, “Gunga Jamna” and “Kashmir Ki Kali”, has worked with All India Radio. Did. Lahore and Delhi in the mid-1940s, before migrating to Mumbai in 1949.

Born on December 25, 1927 in Rajasthan into a family deeply involved in classical music, Narayan enjoyed immense success in Bollywood and eventually retired from the film industry to devote himself entirely to classical music.

Narayan’s student said, “He was acting in the film industry and there were music directors like Madan Mohan and others, who would not have recorded if he had not been there. He left it all behind and went on to perform at concerts all over India and internationally. I decided to play Sarangi.” And renowned playback singer Kavita Krishnamurthy told PTI over phone from Sri Lanka

Later, he recorded several albums, and in 1964 made his first international tour to the United States and Europe with his elder brother Chatur Lal, a tabla player.

Calling himself fortunate to learn under the tutelage of the renowned musician in the mid-1970s, Krishnamurthy said that Sarangi as we know it in India today is due to Narayan’s hard work.

“He was a very committed and serious teacher. I learned a lot of things about music from him. Even later, I used to visit him when he practiced. He is a wonderful musician. His voice is very melodious. Was.” And was emotional but he never sang in public. He was a peaceful and wonderful musician.

He said, “It was an honor and a privilege to know him and some of us were truly fortunate to learn from the great musician.” Whenever he was in Mumbai, he would go to meet the maestro.

In a post on X, music director and singer Adnan Sami said he was saddened by the demise of “one of the greatest sarangi players the entire Indian subcontinent has seen”.

“Apart from his talent as a phenomenal artist, he was a very kind and gentle soul. His smile was infectious and he exuded humility. Sarangi is one of my favorite instruments and Pandit ji knew how to make it, Like no other.” …May his soul rest in peace and my heartfelt condolences to his loving family,” the 53-year-old singer wrote.

Narayan was awarded the Padma Shri in 1976, the Padma Bhushan in 1991 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2005.

He was also awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Kalidas Samman by the Government of Madhya Pradesh and the Aditya Vikram Birla Kalashikhar Award.

In 2007, a biographical film titled “Pandit Ramnarayan – Sarangi Ke Sang” was screened at the International Film Festival of India.

From Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan to Sangeet Natak Akademi and Spike McKay, tributes are pouring in for the great musician.

Radhakrishnan wrote on Touched hearts and skies.”

Sonal Mansingh, a renowned classical dancer and former member of the Rajya Sabha, remembered Narayan as “a delightful person completely dedicated to his art”.

He wrote on

While the Sangeet Natak Akademi expressed condolences to his family, the Society for Promoting Indian Classical Music among the Youth said that Narayan’s “artistic ability was such that he became synonymous with his instrument in the world of classical music”. .

Narayan is survived by three children, sarod maestro Pandit Brij Narayan and Aruna and Shiva, both of whom are trained musicians.

The maestro’s 39-year-old grandson, Harsh Narayan, who started training under him at the age of six, is now also a renowned sarangi player.

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