Shiv Kumar Sharma's name is synonymous with santoor, Indian classical music instrument. Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma is credited with single-handedly making the santoor a popular classical instrument.
Background
Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma was born on January 13, 1938. Shivkumar Sharma took his initial training in music under his father, Pandit Uma Dutt Sharma, an exponent of the Benaras Gharana and the "raj pandit" at the court of Maharaja Pratap Singh. Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma learnt both the Tabla and the Santoor. He was also a vocalist. But, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma became famous because of his improvisations with santoor, a folk instrument from the valley of Kashmir.
Education
Shiv Kumar started learning music and tabla from his father, when he was just 5. His father pushed him all along and wanted him to be the first musician to play Indian classical music on the folk instrument, santoor.
Career
Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma recorded his first solo album in 1960. He then composed the music for Shantaram's 'Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje' in 1965. Later in 1967, he teamed up with the flute maestro Hariprasad Chaurasia and side guitarist Pandit Brij Bhushan Kabra to make the thematic album named 'Call of the Valley'. This endeavor received great acceptance and immensely appreciated by its listeners. The album is remains one of the greatest works in Hindustani classical music. Apart from his private albums, Shiv Kumar has also worked on a number of Bollywood films, in partnership with Hariprasad Chaurasia. Beginning with 'Silsila' in 1980, the duo went ahead to compose music for some of the best musical hits, like 'Faasle' (1985), 'Chandni' (1989), 'Lamhe' (1991), and 'Darr'.