Mumbai: Veteran santoor player and music composer Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma died here on Tuesday morning following a heart attack, family sources said. He was 84.Sharma, one of India's most well known classical musicians, was due to perform in Bhopal next week. He was also suffering from renal ailments."He had a severe heart attack at around 9 am... He was active and was to perform in Bhopal next week. He was on regular dialysis but was still was active," the family source told PTI.A Padma Vibhushan recipient, Sharma was born in Jammu in 1938 and is believed to be the first musician to have played Indian classical music on the santoor, a folk instrument from Jammu and Kashmir.As one half of musician duo Shiv-Hari, he composed music with flute legend Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia for an array of films such as "Silsila", "Lamhe" and "Chandni".His son Rahul Sharma is also a santoor player."The passing away of Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharmaji marks the end of an era. He was the pioneer of Santoor and his contribution is unparalleled. For me, it's a personal loss and I will miss him no end. May his soul rest in peace. His music lives on forever! Om Shanti," sarod player Amjad Ali Khan tweeted.—PTI

Veteran santoor player and music composer Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma died here on Tuesday morning following a heart attack, family sources said.

Santoor maestro Shiv Kumar Sharma dies at 84

Music

Los Angeles: Singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne has called off a series of concerts in Canada following "a positive COVID case within the tour and subsequent exposures". Lavigne, who is currently on the road in support of her album 'Love Sux', took to Twitter on Sunday hours before she was scheduled to play a show in the city of Laval. "To my fans and friends in Laval, QC, Moncton, NB and Halifax, NS, we are sincerely sorry to let you know that we are postponing these shows due to a positive COVID case within the tour and subsequent exposures," she wrote. The Sunday show at Place Bell in Laval will be rescheduled for May 7 and new dates for both Moncton and Halifax shows will be announced shortly, she added in the statement. Lavigne, best known for songs "Complicated" and "I'm With You", said the decision of nixing the shows was made keeping everyone's safety in mind. "I/we sincerely apologize and want you to know that this was not a decision we made lightly. We remain focused on everyone's safety and can't wait to see you all very soon," she further said. Lavinge's tour is scheduled to continue across Canada and the U S through the spring and summer.—PTI

Singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne has called off a series of concerts in Canada following "a positive COVID case within the tour and subsequent exposures".