Music maestro Ustad Rashid Khan breathed his last at a hospital in Kolkata on January 9 after a prolonged battle with cancer. Reportedly, he was undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. The Padma Bhushan awardee was 55. As per reports, his mortal remains will be kept in Peerless Hospital in Kolkata till 6 pm. Khan's last rites will be on January 10.
Several celebs and dignitaries took to social media to offer condolences to the departed soul.
Music composer and singer Shekhar Ravjiani wrote on the X platform, ''The world of music is poorer today…we have lost one of the most precious people to have lit up our world with his immense talent and more Importantly his beautiful soul… #ustadrashidkhan RIP''.
Singer Harshdeep Kaur offered condolences as she wrote, ''Extremely sad news… Ustad Rashid Khan Ji passes away… this is a huge loss to the world of music. He will always be remembered for his excellence in music and his voice will reverberate in our hearts forever Rest in Peace #RashidKhan Saab''.
Papon shared a throwback pic with the legend on Instagram and wrote, ''I don’t feel like posting this but here it is! The worst news ever! My bhai in the real sense! The most amazing human being and by far the best classical voice ever for me, the maestro of rooh aawaaz and gaayaki left us just like that! Bohat kuch karna thaa aapko aur! This is not done! This is really not done! The biggest lost for Indian music! I don’t know what to say .. words can’t say what I mean! This is just so wrong! Aapuknak bohut miss korim Rashid Da …''
Prasoon Joshi tweeted, ''My very dear friend,a legend&truly a voice through which the divine spoke to us- Rashid khan's demise is an irreparable loss to the world of music. Fortunate are those who heard him perform. He was an unparalleled treasure. Milenge Rashid bhai upar milenge... #Ustadrashidkhan''.
Bengali superstar Jeet, mourning Rashid Khan's death wrote, ''He has touched so many lives with his soulful voice, you have left a void in the world of classical Music. My deepest condolences to his family, friends & fans from all across. Rest in peace #UstadRashidkhan 🙏''
''Classical music maestro Ustad Rashid Khan passes away. What a terrible loss to the world of music & the subcontinent. He will always be remembered for his soulful voice and style. A great vocalist. May he rest in peace #UstadRashidKhan,'' wrote Pakistani singer Shafqat Amanat Ali.
The classical singer is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter. "We tried our best but failed. He passed away at around 3:45 PM," said an official of the hospital where Khan was admitted.
Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee said Rashid Khan will be given a gun salute and state honours before his last rites on Wednesday.
She also said, "His body will be kept at a mortuary today. It will be taken to Rabindra Sadan on Wednesday where his admirers can pay him last respects''.
