Thumri exponent Vidushi Savita Devi passes away

Rewned Hindustani classical vocalist Vidushi Savita Devi has passed away at of 80, her son said.

According to Ajey Maharaj, his mor bread her last on Friday morning at Fortis Memorial Research Institute here.

"Her condition was quite critical when she brought her to hospital. She had to be ventilated and kept in ICU and was under constant watch. Unfortunately, despite best efforts of doctors, she passed away at around 10.52 am," Ajey said in a statement.

Daughter of late Padma Shri winner Siddheshwari Devi, Devi was considered a doyen in field of classical music field for her mastery on various semi-classical vocal forms, such as thumri, dadra, chaiti, kajri and tappa of Banaras Gharana (Purabang).

She had also received training as a Sitar player under Pandit Ravi Shankar but she eventually opted for vocal music, dedicating her life to preserving and propagating her mor's legacy.

Apart from performing at a number of concerts in India and abroad, Devi performed regularly for All India Radio and national television.

She authored a biographical work on her mor, titled "Maa... Siddheshwari" and was head of Music Department at Delhi University's Daulat Ram College for many years.