Legendary classical singer Annapurna Devi passes away

Legendary musician Annapurna Devi died at Breach Candy hospital in Mumbai Saturday, hospital officials said.  She was 91. She passed away at 3.51 am. She was suffering from age related issues for the past few years, hospital officials said.

Annapurna Devi was an Indian surbahar player of Hindustani classical music and she was the daughter and disciple of Allauddin Khan. She was married to sitar maestro Ravi Shankar.

‘Ma’, as she was popularly addressed, was born in Madhya Pradesh’s Maihar town to Ustad ‘Baba’ Allauddin Khan and Madina Begum. She was the youngest of four children, the spokesperson said.

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World-renowned maestro, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, was her sibling, the spokesperson added.

Annapurna Devi was a disciple of her father whose inestimable contribution to Indian music resulted in the Senia-Maihar gharana. Her training started early when she was around five years old and she graduated from the sitar to her chosen instrument, the surbahar.

She remained a recluse for most of her life. Much of her time was dedicated to teaching a small but select group of students.