Mridangam artiste Sridhar Parthasarathy, 56, dies after collapsing on stage at Pune Diwali Pahat concert

Sridhar Parthasarathy, a noted and senior mridangam player, died suddenly during a concert in Pune. He was 56. The world of Indian classical music is in mourning as he died while serving music.

A "Diwali Pahat" concert had been organised in the Baner area of Pune. Parthasarathy was playing the mridangam when, as the performance was at its peak, he suffered a severe heart attack and collapsed on the stage.

Those present rushed him to a nearby private hospital for treatment. However, all efforts by doctors failed and he died.

Parthasarathy made a valuable contribution to music. He began taking music lessons at the age of six. He learnt the finer points of mridangam playing under the guidance of the noted music guru Vidwan Karaikudi R. Chandramouli.

He went on to accompany towering figures of Indian classical music, among them D. K. Pattammal, Vidwan Madurai G. S. Mani, Dr M. Balamuralikrishna and Vidwan Ranganath Sharma. His jugalbandi concerts with Shankar Mahadevan, Sanjeev Abhyankar, Ratanmohan Sharma and Nandkishor Mule were also widely acclaimed.

Grief is being expressed in the music world on news of his death. Singer and composer Shankar Mahadevan paid tribute to Parthasarathy in an emotional post on Instagram.

Mahadevan wrote, "It is extremely hard to digest this news. It is an irreparable loss for the entire world of music. About 40 years ago, when I performed my first Carnatic classical concert, it was Sridhar who was behind me on the mridangam. That he took leave of the world while playing in a live concert, what could be more extraordinary!"

Music lovers in Pune and across the country are expressing sorrow at the death, which occurred while he was playing at the concert.