Legendary vocalist Bhimsen Joshi passes away

Legendary Indian singer Bhimsen Joshi, who was best known for promoting classical Indian music to audiences around the world, died on Monday at the age of 89.

Joshi died at a hospital in the western city of Pune after battling a prolonged illness. He built a reputation over a number of decades for singing "Khayal", a modern form of traditional Hindustani music.

He was awarded India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 2008.

"In his death the country has lost a great personality who was an exponent of vocal music," Indian President Pratibha Patil said in tribute.

Joshi had undergone surgery to remove a brain tumour in 1999 and had an operation on his spine in 2005.

His last public performance was in 2007.