Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma's early life was steeped in musical heritage, born on January 13, 1938, in Jammu, India, to Uma Dutt Sharma, a vocalist and tabla player. Introduced to music by his father at a tender age, he later embraced the santoor, a folk instrument from Kashmir. Sharma's talent blossomed quickly, and by age thirteen, he captivated audiences with his santoor performances, heralding a remarkable career ahead. Renowned for popularizing the santoor in Indian classical music,