Pakhawaj player Dinesh Prasad dies on stage in Lucknow

In a tragic incident, pakhawaj player Dinesh Prasad suffered a suspected cardiac arrest while performing on stage at Lucknow's Sanatkada festival on Monday. All attempts to revive him failed, and he was taken to Lari Cardiology Center, where doctors pronounced him dead.

Prasad was performing on Taal Vadya Kachahri when he suffered a heart attack around 3.20 pm. He was 68 years old and had a history of heart disease and had also previously suffered a stroke. “Attempts were made to revive him when he suddenly stopped playing due to discomfort and started foaming at the mouth. It all happened within minutes,” said Madhavi Kukreja, founder of Sanatkada Lucknow festival.

He was taken to the Lari Cardiology Center, where doctors pronounced him dead. His remains were handed over to his family, who live in Rajajipuram. "He was associated with the festival from its beginning and was its accompanist many times. It was his first time performing for Taal Vadya Kachahri,” said Kukreja. "Even when he stopped playing, he told the others on stage to keep performing," she said.

Prasad belonged to Mathura gharana pakhawaj players. He taught at the Sangeet Natak Akademi from 1989 to 2014 and was also a DD and radio artist. In 2005, he was also the recipient of the SNA Award.