Pandit S C R Bhat passes away:

Pandit S.C.R.Bhat was one of the senior-most disciples of Padmabhushan Acharya Ratanjankar. Like his guru, he dedicated his entire life to the cause of Hindustani music, working selflessly for the propagation of this invaluable aspect of our ancient culture. His honesty and large-heartedness made him one of the most revered Gurus.

After initial training in Swaragyan for two years from Pandit Krishna Bhat Honnavar, a disciple of Ustad Kale Khan of Patiala gharana, Pandit Bhat was trained in the intricacies and the finer aspects of 'Raag Sangeet' by Acharya Rantanjankar, starting at Lucknow's Marris College of Music (now called the Bhatkhande Vidyapeeth). This Guru-Shishya relationship lasted for over thirty-five years.

Along with Pandit K.G.Ginde, Pandit Bhat ranked among the leading exponents of Dhrupad-Dhamar gayaki. His teaching career started at Vanasthali Balika Vidyapeeth (Rajasthan) in 1943. In 1946, at the behest of his Guru, he joined Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Mumbai, as a senior music teacher. In 1963 he joined the Shree Vallabh Sangeetashram at Sion as its Vice-Principal.

For his unparalleled teaching skill and command over known and rare ragas, he was conferred the title of "Sangeet Acharya" (Doctorate in Music) by Swamiji of Shree Vallabh Sangeetashram, Sion. He was also a recipient of the Tansen Sanman (1993) and the Karnataka Sangeet Natak Academy Award (1999-2000) The Sur Singar Samsad had conferred upon him the title of “Sharang Dev”and in recognition of his merit as a great Guru, Shri Chitrapur Math, Shirali honoured him with the title of "Mahamahopadhyaya".

Despite all his achievements and knowledge, Pandit S.C.R.Bhat, affectionately called "Nand-Mam" by his disciples was a simple, almost ascetic man, dedicated to his music and teaching, a guru who gave all he had to anyone who asked for it, without holding back or asking for anything in return. He breathed his last at the age of 90, at Mumbai on February 14, 2008.