Sitar maestro Bale Khan

Noted sitar player Ustad Bale Khan died of a heart attack at a private nursing home in Belgaum on Sunday. Bale Khan (65) was ailing for sometime and was admitted to a local nursing home and had been shifted to Belgaum for further treatment on Saturday.

Descendent of the famous Sitar Ratna Rahimat Khan who introduced Sitar to South India Bale Khan was born on 28 August 1942 at Dharwad. He had his initial training in Sitar from his father Abdul Kareem Khan at the age of six and went on the master the art.

The 'Pancha Sitar' programme performed by Bale Khan along with his brothers has been a hit with music lovers.

Bale Khan was instrumental in organising the annual musical festival in memory of his grand father Sitar Ratna Rahimat Khan at Dharwad.

The last rites for Bale Khan will take place in Dharwad on Monday.

The last rites will take place on Monday.

The national level festival has been providing a musical feast every year. Bale Khan was the member of Karnataka Sangeeta Akademi and has been awarded Rajyotsava award in 1987 and Karnataka Kala Shree award in 2001. He has trained large number of students through the Bharateeya Sangeeta Vidyalaya set up by his ancestors.