Music scheme to be named after Bhimsen Joshi

Mumbai: The Maharashtra cabinet Wednesday approved a classical music scheme named after Pandit Bhimsen Joshi ahead of his second death anniversary, an official said.

"In accordance with the State Cultural Policy, 2010, five new sub-schemes will be implemented in the name of Joshi to encourage upcoming artists in the field of music. These will include a scholarship programme, classical music festival, hostel for students, a lifetime achievement award and aid to a notable music institute," the official said. A Bharat Ratna awardee, Joshi passed away Jan 24, 2011 in a Pune hospital. he was 88. The cabinet has granted Rs.45.66 lakh for the five programmes, the official added. A practitioner of the Kirana gharana, Joshi was known for his mellifluous `khayals` as well as for his popular renditions of devotional `abhangs` and `bhajans`. IANS