MUMBAI: Legendary Hindustani and Carnatic exponent, instrumentalist Puttaraj Gavai passed away yesterday at the age of 97 following illness.

Gavai also a writer, dramatist, social worker and Padma Bhushan recipient, died at Veereshwara Punyashrama, an institute for differently abled and destitutes run by him for several years.

Gavai, who was suffering from kidney problems and pneumonia, was shifted to the ashram from KLE Hospital in Belgaum as per his last wishes early this week.

Born to Revaiah Venkatapurmath and Siddamma on 3 March, 1914 at Devara Hospete in Hangal taluk of Haveri district, Puttaiah spent his childhood at Devagiri in Haveri taluk after he lost his father and his vision. His brother-in-law Chandrashekharaiah, who took care of him, discovered his ear for music and sent him to Panchakshari Gavai's ashram in Gadag.

A disciple of the great Panchakshara Gavai who carried forward his legacy, Putturaj not only rendered soulful music in both Hindustani and Carnatic, but penned literary works in various languages and staged plays under the 'Sri Guru Kumareshwara Krupa Poshita Natya Company' banner. It was his guru who renamed him and trained him, eventually naming him his successor.