Anup Jalota and Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt pay tribute to the late Pandit Shivkumar Sharma.

Pandit Shivkumar Sharma was preparing for yet another mesmersing performance in Bhopal next week.

But Death had other plans.

The maestro with whom the santoor had become synonymous across the world passed into the ages on Tuesday, May 10.

Stunned at the shocking news, Bhajan Samrat Anup Jalota said, "Today, thousands of people are learning to play the santoor because they want to be able to create music like he did."

Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, whose fingers create magic with the Mohan Veena, was distressed at the loss of another gem from the world of Indian music: "He pushed the boundaries of what could be done with the santoor."