Ahmedabad: Eminent sitarist and co-founder trustee of Saptak, Vidushi Manjuben Mehta, passed away today, August 20, 2024, at the age of 79.

Her final journey will commence from her residence at Bungalow No. 7, Vidyanagar Society, Vibhag-2, Opp. Hotel Damji, Beside Nagar Chashmaghar, Usmanpura at 3:30 pm today, proceeding to Vadaj Crematorium.

Born in Jaipur in 1945 to Manohar and Chandrakala Bhatt, Mehta was raised in a family deeply rooted in music. Both her parents were accomplished musicians, and her brothers, Shashi Mohan Bhatt and Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, are recognized as pandits.

Mehta was a Top-grade classical instrumentalist, the highest rating in All India Radio’s classification. She co-founded the Saptak School of Music and the Saptak Festival of Music, an annual Indian classical music event held every January in Ahmedabad.

She was honored with several prestigious awards, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi of Gujarat Award, the Tansen Samman in 2018, and the Dhirubhai Thakar Savyasachi Saraswat Award in 2016. DeshGujarat