KOLKATA: Legendary Indian tabla player Shankar Ghosh died at a private health facility in Kolkata on January 22 after being critically-ill for over a month due to pneumonia, cardiac problems and old age complications, hospital sources said.

Ghosh, 80, leaves behind his wife — Hindustani classical vocalist of Patiala gharana Sanjukta Ghosh — and his famed percussionist son Bickram Ghosh.

The exponent of the Farrukhabad gharana of Hindustani classical music had undergone an angioplasty following heart complications in mid December 2015 at the Medica Superspecialty Hospital, but his condition deteriorated soon after.

He was on ventilator since January 20.

“He had been suffering from pneumonia with a background of ischaemic heart disease. Old age, diabetes and hypertension had added to the problems,” a statement released by the hospital said.

Hailed as one of the all-time greats of Indian classical music, Pandit Shankar Ghosh had for over five decades regaled audiences both in India and abroad with his unique baaj (style) of playing the tabla.

Known for his innovative genius, he revolutionised both the art of tabla solo performances as well as tabla accompaniment.