Mridangam player Sridhar Parthasarathy passes away during Pune concert

Vidwan Sridhar Parthasarathy, a renowned mridangam player at the age of 54, tragically lost his life while performing at the Lokmat SwaraChaitanya Diwali Pahat 2026 concert in Pune on Friday. The audience witnessed Parthasarathy playing normally during the early morning concert before he suddenly collapsed in the middle of a performance.

Without hesitation, medical professionals rushed to the stage to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Manipal Hospital in Baner confirmed that Parthasarathy was taken to their Emergency Department, but despite their immediate and continued resuscitation efforts, they were unable to revive him.

Parthasarathy was a devoted disciple of Vidwan Karaikudi R. Chandramouli, having been introduced to the mridangam as a child. He brought his deep understanding and elegance to the art form, accompanying celebrated musicians and being part of ensembles led by Louis Banks and others. His talent was showcased in the album "Miles from India: A Celebration of the Music of Miles Davis," featuring renowned musicians such as Gino Banks, Rakesh Chaurasia, and Selva Ganesh.

The news of Parthasarathy's passing sent shockwaves through the music world. Louis Banks expressed his profound shock and devastation, calling Parthasarathy his "dearest friend and colleague." Gino Banks also mourned the loss, describing Parthasarathy as a "gem of a human being" and a mentor who had taught him invaluable lessons about music both on and off the stage.