Ravi Shankar\'s Death Mourned in India

Rajesh Nirgude/Associated PressMusical maestros, Ustad Zakir Hussain, left, and Pandit Ravi Shankar, right, performed together after a gap of 15 years in Mumbai, Maharashtra on Feb. 11, 2006.

Pandit Ravi Shankar, the sitar virtuoso and music composer, who died Tuesday in Southern California, leaves behind bereaved fans around the world, thanks to his role as the unofficial ambassador of Indian classical music. Back home in India, his death is being mourned a s a national loss by national leaders and the fraternity of artists.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh “India has lost an eminent son, the world of sitar has lost one of its ablest exponents ever and a shining light in the firmament of music has been extinguished,” he said in a statement issued by his office.

Vice President M. Hamid Ansari: “Pandit ji was an iconic figure who had become a legend of music during his lifetime,” a statement issued by Mr. Ansari's office said.

“His departure has created a void which may perhaps never ever be filled. However, his work is immortal and will continue to inspire and give pleasure to millions of his admirers throughout the world.”

Nirupama Rao, India's ambassador to the U.S.: “Mourn passing of a musical genius and gentle soul,” she wrote on Twitter.

She wrote that his last concert held in California in November was “particularly poignant.”

“Anoushka and he played together in perfect unison. A torch was passed,” she wrote of the father-daughter duo.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, spiritual guru: “Pandit Ravi Shankar was a legend in music and he took classical music to new heights,” he wrote on twitter.

Nitin Gadkari, president of the Bharatiya Janata Party: “Shri Gadkari described Pandit Ravi Shankar as the world renowned contemporary Indian musician who played Indian classical music and engaged western music by writing concerti for Sitar and orchestra” said a statement issued by his office. “His departure is a great loss to the Indian classical music.”

Ustad Zakir Hussain, tabla maestro: “Beings like him don't die,” he said in a press statem ent. “They just go back to heaven to take their rightful place amongst Gods. Today, with his presence, heaven is enriched. Farewell Ravi uncle.”

A. R. Rahman, musician: “Indian Classical Music has lost its chief ambassador & India its Bharat Ratna..May God bless his soul !” He wrote on Twitter.

Shekhar Kapur, filmmaker: “Pt. Ravi Shankar's music will live with us forever,” he wrote on Twitter. “Amazing man, Amazing artist. Amazing life, amazingly lived. Amazing creative force.”

Pandit Ravi Shankar, “showed us what India's soft power really is. Not business, but Art. Remember him playing at Chetan Anand's home. Bliss.”

Priyanka Chopra, Bollywood actress: “The end of an era in Music. We have lost too many legends this year.. My condolences to the family..RIP Shri Pandit Ravi Shankar,” she < a href="https://twitter.com/priyankachopra">wrote on Twitter.