Noted vocalist Pandit Firoz Dastur dead Agencies
Posted online: May 10, 2008 at 1405 hrs

Mumbai, May 10:: The doyen of Hindustani classical music Pandit Firoz Dastur died in Mumbai after protracted illness.

The 89-year-old music maestro who was one of the greatest exponents of Kirana Gharana and disciple of Sawai Gandharva died last night.

Pandit Dastur was a bachelor and lived alone at his Grant Road residence in Mumbai. His brother and other relatives are settled abroad.

His last rites was conducted as per Hindu rituals by his disciple Girish Sanzgiri at Chandanwadi crematorium on Saturday morning.

His disciple Vrinda Mundukur said Pandit Dastur was suffering from anemia. Some of the disciples living close by took him to the hospital last night but he passed away before being admitted, she added.

In a singing career that spanned almost six decades, Pandit Dastur enthralled audiences both in India and abroad with his performance.

In addition to performances at prestigious conferences like the All India Music Conference, Sadarang Sarba Bharatiya Surdas Sangeet Sammelan, Sur Singar Sansad and Tansen Music Festival, Pandit Dastur participated in every Sawai Gandharva Mahotsav since 1952.