www.sdbatish.com
SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA, August 4, 2006: It is with great sadness the Batish Family announces the passing of Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish on July 29, 2006, at the age of 91. Hindu funeral rites were held on August 2 in Santa Cruz. S. D. Batish was a stalwart on the Indian music scene since 1936. His songs were broadcast on All India Radio and his old movies regularly shown on Indian TV. He was a true master of the various vocal and instrumental styles of North Indian music, including Bhajans, Geet, Thumri, Ghazals, Film Sangeet, etc. In England he was a frequent artist at the BBC world music program and worked on the sound track in the Beatles film “HELP.” In 1970 Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish moved to California, USA to teach music at the University of California, Santa Cruz. He loved the area and decided to make it his home, writing some of his greatest works there. He and his son, Shri Ashwin Batish, also formed the Batish Institute of Indian music and Fine Arts – an educational institute to teach Panditji’s music and to further the cause of Indian music and culture in the World. Condolences can be emailed to batishs@gmail.com, faxed to (831) 423-5172 or mailed to the Batish Family, 1310 Mission Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 USA.