Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, the eminent classical vocalist died of old age related illness on Monday morning at a hospital in Pune. He was 88.

The maestro of Hindustani classical music was on ventilator from few weeks and underwent periodic dialysis during the last 25 days.

“However, since Saturday evening, his condition deteriorated and he started sinking despite all our efforts. He breathed his last at 8.05 a.m.,” Atul Joshi told newspersons.

Pandit Joshi was given Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian award, in 2008.