Hindustani classical musician Annapurna Devi passes away at 91

New Delhi : Legendary Hindustani classical musician Annapurna Devi died Breach Candy hospital in Mumbai on Saturday. She was 91.

The hospital authorities declared her dead at around 3:51 AM.

Due to age, Annapurna Devi ji was ill for past few years, a spokesperson of Annapurna Devi Foundation, Mumbai said.

Born in Madhya Pradesh, she was a Padma Bhushan awardee. 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.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled her death and wrote on Twitter: "Saddened at the passing away of Annapurna Devi, the founder of Maihar Gharana. My condolences to her family and admirers."

She was married to sitar maestro Ravi Shankar and had a son, Shubhendra 'Shubho' Shankar, who passed away in 1992. She later married Rooshikumar Pandya, a management consultant, who passed away in 2013.