Lucknow: Eminent pakhawaj virtuoso of the Ayodhya gharana and senior classical musician Dr. Raj Khushiram was consigned to the five elements following his demise late Wednesday night. He was 72.
A top-grade artist of Prasar Bharati and a respected teacher of pakhawaj at Bhatkhande Snskriti University, Dr. Khushiram had been unwell for several days. After experiencing breathing difficulties, he was taken to a medical college and later returned to his Gomti Nagar residence. His condition did not improve, and he passed away on Wednesday night.
His mortal remains were taken from his Gomti Nagar home to his former residence and shop near Aminabad Hanuman Temple for public homage, before the final procession reached the cremation ground. The last rites were performed at Baikunth Dham, where the funeral pyre was lit by his nephew, Munish Khushiram.
Dr. Raj Khushiram was a distinguished disciple of legendary pakhawaj acharya Swami Pagal Das of the Ayodhya gharana. He was the husband of renowned Kathak dancer Kapila Raj, a senior disciple of celebrated Lucknow gharana guru Pandit Lachhu Maharaj. He also served as a guest faculty member at Bhatkhande Sanskriti University. His wife and son had predeceased him.
His passing has cast a pall of gloom across the world of Indian classical music. In recognition of his invaluable contribution to the art form, he received several prestigious honours, including the Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the International Dhrupad Festival in Varanasi during its golden jubilee year.
Several eminent artistes and admirers attended the funeral, including vocalist Pandit Vinod Kumar Dwivedi from Kanpur, gurubhai Rajkumar Jha from Ayodhya, along with noted artistes and cultural figures such as Bhasha Pant, Jyoti Kiran, Ram Mohan Maharaj, Kamlesh Dubey, Hem Singh, Ratnesh Mishra, Surendra Arya, theatre critic Rajveer Ratan, and disciples Prasanna and Ashwit, among many others.
A shanti path (prayer meeting) will be held on December 20 at 10:30 am at his residence, Kapila Kunj, 5/19 Viram Khand, near Husadiya Chauraha, Jeevan Plaza, Gomti Nagar.
Paying tribute, Jaipur-based Dhrupad vocalist Dr. Madhu Bhatt Tailang said, “He worshipped the divine throughout his life through music and pakhawaj sadhana. His playing will remain unforgettable.”
Theatre and film actor Dr. Anil Rastogi said, “I am deeply saddened by Raju’s passing. He was a great soul, gentle by nature and a true gentleman.”
Theatre practitioner Gopal Sinha remembered him as “a man with a constant smile, as exceptional a pakhawaj player as he was a simple and humble human being.”
Senior art critic Rajveer Ratan added, “He was our friend for over three decades and also a mentor and guide to my children.”
With the passing of Dr. Raj Khushiram, Indian classical music has lost a devoted practitioner whose legacy will continue to resonate through his art, students and timeless compositions.
