New Delhi: Indian classical vocalist Bhimsen Joshi, the last great representative of the legendary Kirana Gharana of Abdul Karim Khan, passed away in Pune on Monday morning. He was 89.

Panditji, as he was endearingly called by millions of his followers, was hospitalised recently following old-age related ailments, including breathlessness. A report said he suffered from kidney failure.

Bhimsen Joshi and the late Gangubai Hangal, his "guru behen", represented Karim Khan's legacy of a measured mix of north and south Indian styles of classical singing. That torch was carried into Pakistan by Roshan Ara Begum, who had learnt directly from the Khan saheb.

Panditji was decoarted with India's highest civilian award. He had a large following in Pakistan, Bangaldesh and among the South Asian diaspora across the world.