New Delhi: Sonam Sherpa, the lead guitarist and founder of rock band Parikrama, passed away on Friday, the band announced on Twitter. He was 48 and though the cause of death was not revealed, reports say he suffered a cardiac arrest in his hometown in Kalimpong, West Bengal.
In a tweet, Parikrama called Sherpa the ‘backbone’ of the band, saying it is “very very tough to lose a band mate, a brother and a mentor”.
The band’s website says Sherpa began playing guitar since the age of nine and the blues harp since he was a 15-year-old. He specialised in the blues, screaming riffs and some soulful slide, the website says.
Apart from being an integral part of the band, Sherpa was the director, CEO and proprietor of the Parikrama School of Music in Hauz Khas Village, Delhi.
Sherpa was included in the ‘Top 10 Guitarist of India’ list by the Rolling Stones magazine, according to reports.
Tributes poured in for the guitarist, with fans, celebrities and colleagues expressing admiration for Sherpa’s work.
Music director and singer Vishal Dadlani called Sherpa a “true Indian legend”. “#SonamSherpa was more than a guitar-player. He was a pioneer, a teacher and an inspiration to so many. He was also a good friend and always humble despite his brilliance and popularity. Heartbroken. Truly, truly heartbroken,” he posted.
Born on October 8, 1971 in West Bengal, Sherpa did his schooling from St. Augustine’s School in Kalimpong. He moved to Delhi where he studied B.Com at Kirori Mal College.
Sherpa co-founded Parikrama in June 1991. The band’s other members include Nitin Malik (lead vocalist), Saurabh Choudhary (guitarist), Subir Malik (organist, synthesizer), Gaurav Balani (bass guitarist) and Srijan Mahajan (drummer).
Parikrama’s hit songs include But It Rained, Tears of the Wizard and Am I Dreaming.